On January 4th, 1984, our family flew to India to start training and producing media. We were in our 30’s and Caren (6) and Sam (4) were with us along with our KayPro computer and dot matrix printer. We were ordained in December 1983. There is an article here that you can read. https://mobiletrain.info/DanHenrich.org/?p=506.
On December 29, 2023, we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary, and six days later also completed our 40th year of media training!
The question is what are we going to do? Each of our lives has a beginning, middle, and an end. We have not reached our end. Here is what we want to accomplish over the next ten years:
- MOBILE FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS: We will continue to conduct Mobile Filmmaking Workshops in the least reached countries. To be honest, we receive more requests than we can meet – both because we have limited time during the summer break and because of finances. Each summer costs a lot and we struggle to raise support as unfortunately, airfare prices are rising.
- CREATING PRODUCTION TEAMS: It has always been our intent to raise up production groups that will continue on without us. In the 31 years from 1984-2017, we trained 421 students in studio camera use. We do not know how many continued. Between 2017 and 2023 (six years) we have trained 456 students to use their smartphones to produce untold stories All of them are making more effective use of their phones. As David Peters of Galilean International (our first partner in 1984 India) wrote: “It is worth noting that the graduates from these training sessions and workshops have not only enhanced their (mobile filming) capacities but are also making immense contributions to mainstream media. Their content, creativity and messaging, is undoubtedly transforming lives and changing perceptions on a vast scale. The influence and outreach they have achieved, guided by the foundational teachings of Handclasp Inc., have touched the lives of millions, bringing them closer to our shared beliefs and values.”
- CONDUCTING ADVANCED TRAINING: During the summer of 2024 two of our workshops will involve advanced levels of training. In Dehradun, our 2023 cohort will return for more advanced training, and in Cairo, we will partner with the Elhaya Team to co-produce a longer-form dramatic film. Two other basic level Indian workshops are being planned.
- MENTORING EXISTING PRODUCTION EFFORTS: Since 2021 we have been able to establish teams in Egypt (2), India (1) and conduct train-the-trainer sessions in Tanzania where Habari Maalum College is using our curriculum in their workshops. See https://handclaspinc.org/?page_id=1671. Although we communicate via WhatsApp and Signal to most of these groups we will return as often as possible to mentor them.
We are finalizing details for the summers to come:
2024 – Three weeks in India and one to two weeks in Egypt. Our draft budget is about $11,000 and we have already started to purchase tickets.
2025 onward. Each summer we will continue to do training and develop/mentor production teams. We have many requests from Asia and Africa.
If you will like to partner with us here is a link: https://handclaspinc.org/?page_id=476
Dan and Christine Henrich
Handclasp Inc
375 W. 69th St, Jacksonville, FL 32208
(904) 510-0574 – [email protected]
