I just wanted to give a brief shout out and thank you to all those who helped me get to Kenya. Whether you donated, bought my CD, stopped by the benefit show, or just kept tabs with my project.. I am very grateful. The kids at the Tumaini Children's Home absolutely loved their new school supplies, jump ropes, shoes, and friends. It was definitely an experience the children and I will never forget.
Here are a few pictures of the beautiful people I met. Hope you enjoy and thank you again!
Jess.
With your help we delivered 210 pairs of shoes, 200 jump ropes, 1 note book, 2 pencils, and 2 pens for every child in school, and lots of love!
T Minus 24 Hours
Thursday, 08 July 2010 00:00
It's 11:21pm. Shower shoes are packed, batteries are charged, and 14 hours of music has been downloaded onto my little Sansa player. This time tomorrow, I will be three hours away form London, probably more asleep than I am now. So many things are going through my mind... “I can't believe its time.”, “How am I going to get around an international airport.”, “Did I pack my anti travelers diarrhea medicine?”, “What will the kids think of me?”...amongst the rest of these selfish thoughts, I was overcome with gratefulness for those who donated and helped me get to this point.
There's two beneficial sides of this journey. 1) Being able to bring these children shoes, school supplies, and equipment to play with. 2) Learning what it means to be truly happy... then sharing that knowledge with the youth of today. I haven't figured out which side is more important, and it may not even be a matter of importance, but I almost feel like I get the better end of the deal. These children are already happy with nothing.. how much better would our lives be if we just learned to be happy with something?...since we DO have something.
So it's now 12:01am. All I can think about now are these kids who are anxiously awaiting us. T minus 24 hours :)
Love
Jess
Help Me Change The World!
Wednesday, 16 June 2010 07:41
This is an opportunity for you to buy some really cool stuff while also helping raise funds for a good cause. To donate choose an item from the right and click "Donate Now".
About The Cause
I was asked by Think Kindness, an organization dedicated to inspiring over 1 million random acts of kindness, to join them on an humanitarian trip to Kenya. We will be delivering shoes, school supplies, and medicines to the orphanages.
While on my journey we will be filming a documentary called “The Roots of Happiness”. We will be living with children whom have suffered abandonment, violence, slavery, disease, hunger, and poverty… yet, they are the happiest of children. Why? Well that is what we aim to find out.
The documentary will be distributed to over 200 high schools throughout the 2010-2011 school year. The purpose is to show high school kids how through seemingly simple acts of kindness they can begin to change the world.
The orphanage that we will be visiting is in Nyeri, Kenya and is called Tumaini. Amongst delivering shoes and school supplies, I will be teaching the children music. Through music, I want to show the children that they have beauty, dignity, and unlimited potential.
During my travels I will be blogging on my website. I will be posting journal entries, photos, and videos daily. So, through this simple purchase, you will become part of the revolution to change the world and see the lives you have touched.
With kindness and thanks,
Jessica Frech
Where Do You Find Happiness Benefit Concert
Monday, 03 August 2009 10:30
Thank you for everyone that came out for the event. I appriciate everyones support! If you missed the Where Do You Find Happiness Benefit Concert here is your chance to hear the amazing artists that performed! The benefit concert was to help raise money for my traveling expenses to Africa with Think Kindness, an organization dedicated to inspiring over 1 million random acts of kindness. We will be visiting Tumaini Children's Home an orphanage with 170+ children ranging from 6 - 22 years old.
We will be delivering shoes, school supplies, and medicines to the orphanages. While on our journy we will be living with children whom have suffered abandonment, violence, slavery, disease, hunger, and poverty... yet, they are the happiest of children you will ever meet. Why? Well that is what we aim to find out. A documentary called “The Roots of Happiness” will be filmed during our travels. It will be distributed to over 200 high schools throughout the 2010-2011 school year. The purpose is to challenge high school kids to change the world through seemingly simple acts of kindness.
If you would like to get involved click the "Donate Now" button to the right next to the appropriate donation amount you would like to make. Thank you for your support!
-Jessica Frech
We started off the night by showing Tumaini Smiles, a documentary about the impact a used pair of shoes can have on a child in need.
We gave away free stuff when people donated. Some of the things people got were Gigi cupcakes, muffins from Mimi's Cafe, t-shirts, CD's, body massage, gym memberships, and much more!
Thank you for all the businesses that donated to the silent auction! Maggie Moo's - Shear Drama Hair Salon - Monkey Joe's - Color & Spa Cafe - Just Be Fit Fitness - Outback Steakhouse - Mimi's Cafe - Brixx Wood Fired Pizza - Sun Tan City - Wake And Skate - Painturo's Real Italian - Gigi Cupcakes - Chef's Market - Icon Tattoo And Body Piercing - Salon FX - Knead Dough Pizzeria - Sweet-N-Sassy Bakery - Rock Block Guitars - Scuba Adventures - Design 2000 - Ultimate Party Super Store - Claudine Brown's Florist - Fulin's Asian Cuisine - Strike And Spare - Flour Girls Cafe - Cookies By Design.
Trey Lockerbie www.myspace.com/treylockerbie Trey was recently picked by Nashville's radio station WRLT Lightning 100 as a Local Spotlight Artist. This 22 year old has also already had two songs on a Josh Kelley record. He has toured as a guitar player for Josh Kelley, Lenka, and Josh Hoge. He has opened as a solo artist for many national acts including Green River Ordinance. "His latest CD Hummingbird EP splits the difference between the spacey sweetness of Coldplay and the hushed, confessional soul of John Mayer" - The Tennessean.
"Moving To Montauk"
"Criminal"
Matt Woods www.mattwoodsband.com Matt has the voice and the songs that stand with the Counting Crows, Matchbox 20 and the Barenaked Ladies. His debut album, Something Surreal is packed with 20 amazing tracks. The single Misconception was featured on the television show "The Bad Girl's Club". Matt is currently working on his next full-length album.
"Make It Happen"
"Africa"
Sabrina www.sabrinasongs.com With a heart felt Tracy Chapman sound Sabrina’s angelic voice keeps you wanting more. Sabrina is active with Chicks With Picks and a founding member of The Nashville Songwriters Tour. She performs regularly at Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival and Southeast Regional Folk Alliance. Subrina supports the Mikel Foundation that helps children with genetic disorders.
"Back To You"
"Crayons"
Jeffrey James http://www.jeffreyjamesmusic.net/ Jeffrey has a smooth, alternative voice with a bluesy, pop singer/songwriter style. Jeffrey has spent the last few years playing shows in Nashville and touring a circuit of colleges in the Midwest, gaining the support and loyalty of a growing fan-base. Jeffrey recently released his first full length album titled, Just Right. "I Will Be OK"
Shelly Fraley www.shellyfraley.com Shelly has already earned numerous placements with her EP Up Up & Away. You have heard her songs on such television shows and films such as One Tree Hill, Knight Rider, Ghost Whisper and the latest Free Willy 4 movie. Shelly is currently in the process of writing/recording a full-length album to be independently released summer of 2010.
"Up Up & Away"
"On Her Way"
Pledge - $5
Get grapefruit sticky notes.
Pledge - $20
Get grapefruit sticky notes, plus my latest CD "Grapefruit".
Pledge - $50
Get grapefruit sticky notes, my latest CD "Grapefruit", plus your choice of 1 of the 4 different Grapefruit T-shirts. Choose Your T-Shirt Options: view t-shirt designs
Pledge - $250
Get everything above, plus an exclusive concert for you and your friends in the comfort of your home or business (middle TN residents only).
You choose the amount starting from $1 and up. Everyone who donates will get access to exclusive updates of the trip and a link to download the song that I am writing for the “Roots of Happiness” DVD.
Hey everyone,
Get grapefruit sticky notes.
Get grapefruit sticky notes, plus my latest CD "Grapefruit".
Get grapefruit sticky notes, my latest CD "Grapefruit", plus your choice of 1 of the 4 different Grapefruit T-shirts. 
Get everything above, plus an exclusive concert for you and your friends in the comfort of your home or business (middle TN residents only).
Get everything above, plus I will write and record a song about the subject of your choice (nothing explicit).
