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June 2008

From the Band

Dispatchers,

Summer is finally here! It's hard to believe that nearly one year ago, we gathered in NYC to raise our collective voices for the country of Zimbabwe.  One year later, Zimbabwe remains on our minds. A few pieces of exciting news for the month of June.

DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - One-Year Anniversary Special 

In partnership with our friends at MTV, we are working with filmmakers to cut together a One-Year Anniversary Special of "DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - Live at Madison Square Garden" that will air on MHD, MTVU, and MTV2 this July.  The 60-minute special will include an update on Zimbabwe, and highlights from the shows at Madison Square Garden last summer.  Be sure to check the July Newsletter for details of where and when you can tune in.

DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - Audio on ITunes

On July 15th, 2008, the one-year Anniversary of the DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE weekend, ITunes will be releasing all of the audio from the "DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE - Live at Madison Square Garden" DVD. The audio is currently only available in the retail package of the DVD (with a redeemable DropCard), but now will be available for all on ITunes.  A portion of net-proceeds will benefit The Dispatch Foundation's continued work in Zimbabwe.

DISPATCH - Added to ITunes Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand

For our friends outside of the United States, it has been difficult to get our music in the past.  Now, in addition to the US and European ITunes Stores, ITunes Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand carry all of the DISPATCH records! Additionally, all of these ITunes store will also carry the release of the audio from DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE on July 15th!

Visit DISPATCH on ITunes in your Territory.

DISPATCH Online Store

Each month we are trying to bring you new items in the DISPATCH Online Store. This month we are featuring a limited-edition DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE Cinema Poster, used in Theaters for the premier earlier this year. 100% of proceeds from the sale of this item will benefit The Dispatch Foundation's continued work in Zimbabwe. 

We will also be featuring a shirt designed by Chaz Maviyane-Davies, a Zimbabwe native living in Boston, MA who uses his art to protest oppression. 100% of proceeds from the sale of this item will benefit The Dispatch Foundation's continued work in Zimbabwe.  You can see both of these items in the Featured Merch column to the right.

Visit the DISPATCH Online Store.

From The Dispatch Foundation

The Latest News
In Zimbabwe, there continues to be a widespread shortage of food, electricity, fuel and medicine; inflation is nearing two million percent. The election run-off has been scheduled for June 27th, and politically motivated violence continues to increase. At least 50 have been killed, and thousands displaced, tortured or abducted. UNICEF reports that 10,000 children have been displaced. Also, both the Anglican and Catholic churches are reporting intense suppression of rights.

In neighboring South Africa, the last two weeks has seen a backlash against immigrants (mostly from Zimbabwe and Mozambique). Shops have been looted, shacks burned; over 50 have been killed and 35,0000 have fled. President Mbeki labeled the crisis a “humiliating disgrace.”

Make your voice heard. Our friends at Avaaz will deliver a petition to world leaders, demanding free and fair elections. Sign the petition now...
 

Our Work

The one-year anniversary of our weekend in NYC is approaching. To commemorate that weekend, we will begin introducing you to the people and the projects that The Dispatch Foundation is supporting. Thank you all for making these projects possible.

Zimbabwe: Manuel continues to improve. He remains at home, and will most likely work with a local doctor. His parents are thrilled to have him back from Harare!

We have refrained from releasing details about our grants in Zimbabwe. Attention on similar programs in Zimbabwe has brought retribution and we continue to be concerned for the safety of our contacts on the ground. We have identified five small, grassroots organizations that are supporting youth through HIV education, school fees, orphan support, and support of young girls. Each of these organizations is currently active and we continue to identify new organizations.

Waterside School: on July 11, Dispatch played a show at Webster Hall in NYC to support the Waterside School in Stamford, CT. The school serves underprivileged students (Kindergarten through 5th grade). Parents of the students all must volunteer and service to community is an integral part of the curriculum. The kids start at Waterside with limited opportunity and emerge hopeful and confident.

The Dispatch Foundation, on behalf of our fans, will donate $24,000 to seed a music program. Currently, the school only a part time music teacher and a single piano. With our help, Waterside will create a full music curriculum. 

To donate to any of our projects please visit The Dispatch Foundation online.

Thank you for your incredible support!