Wrestling the World Seeks Corporate Partners to Support Development of International Village, Kenya

Sept. 30, 2008 - PRLog -- WHITEWATER, WI  – Wrestling The World (WTW), a non-profit entity based in Wisconsin, is developing a revolutionary International Village concept in Barut, Kenya.   Scheduled to open its doors in June, 2009,   The International Village will serve as an educational resource for the local community and a volunteer center for tourists.  International Villages-Hopewell in Barut, Kenya is the first of four such projects that WTW plans to launch around the world.   WTW is seeking business partners for International Villages- Hopewell through its BELIEVE corporate sponsorship program.  

Community-owned and operated eco-lodges are prevalent throughout Kenya.  While they support local livelihoods and economies, they do not always facilitate interaction between guests and the local people.  The International Villages-Hopewell takes the eco-lodge concept one step further by serving as a locally managed and operated safe lodging haven for travelers and as a hub for facilitating connections between tourists and the locals.  International Villages-Hopewell is located in the heart of Barut, an economically-challenged area within the bustling city of Nakuru, Kenya.   It will provide a permanent and significant presence in Barut offering a source of job and vocational training to help the locals improve their life situations. By offering travelers access to meaningful volunteer projects in the area, engagement with the local people, and cultural immersion opportunities it will also make an important contribution to Kenyan tourism.

WTW already has a strong relationship with the Barut community, having successfully accomplished many projects surrounding Barut’s Hopewell High School over the past three years. International Villages-Hopewell was born out of collaboration between WTW, Barut political leaders, and the local residents, making it a true community effort.

"The International Villages-Hopewell will serve as a base of operations for international guests traveling to Kenya and as a vocational training and educational center for the locals," said WTW president Phill Klamm. "International Villages-Hopewell’s corporate partners will have significant opportunity to align their brands with a conscientious consumer base that has proven to be passionately supportive of businesses who share their values for improving lives in the world’s developing economies.”

The authentic, locally-constructed International Villages-Hopewell will be located near the Hopewell High School.  It will open with eight guest cabins of African design, a conference center, and a restaurant. Other amenities and facilities may be developed as funding becomes available.  The International Villages-Hopewell conference center will be powered with solar electricity, derive heat from bio-gas, and source water from a borehole well with natural de-fluoridation and rainwater harvesting.  Plans also call for a self sustaining “trickle water” farm with vegetables, trees, and grass- fed livestock.

Local people will use the facility’s educational resources to support personal and professional growth. Once they are trained in a discipline, the International Village staff will assist them in finding jobs in greater Kenya to make room for another local resident to take advantage of the services provided.  The International Village will be staffed by local residents to oversee and manage the facility and all revenues generated will be invested back into the International Villages-Hopewell.  

For guests, International Villages-Hopewell will offer an extensive menu of volunteer opportunities to meet their varied skill sets and ages. In addition to volunteering, guests can choose tours led by trained local tour guides for exploration of the area including Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Park, Amboselli National Park, Mombasa, Nairobi, Baringo, Tsavo National Park, Mt Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro, and other areas. Trip bookings, volunteer program management, and tour operations are fully managed by WTW and International Villages-Hopewell staff.

As of today, land has been purchased, an architect hired, and plans are in development for the building phases and material orders for International Villages-Hopewell.  Completion of the project is scheduled for mid June of 2009 to coordinate with trips scheduled to the area.

WTW needs additional capital to cover the costs associated with this project and is now seeking corporate partnerships through its integrated sponsorship marketing program, BELIEVE (Benefiting Lives Immersed in Educational Volunteer Experiences). Beyond charitable donations, corporations will have tangible marketing and business development opportunities at the property to earn a return on their investment.  Comprehensive sponsorship packages include entitlements such as:

-becoming the property’s exclusive product/service provider or promotional partner within a given business category,
-promotional access to guests, staff, and area residents of the International Village,
-product/service demonstrations and/or distribution, and
-media and public relations exposure, among other benefits.

Companies interested in learning more about BELIEVE sponsorship opportunities with International-Villages-Hopewell may contact Phill Klamm at wrestlingtheworld@yahoo.com. More details about the project can be found at www.internationalvillages.org and  www.wrestlingtheworld.org.

About Wresting the World
Wrestling The World (www.wrestlingtheworld.org)  is a not-for-profit entity that has been created and exists to work toward an on-going mission to unite and educate a diverse group of people reaching out worldwide to help those who are less able to help themselves.