In 1993 SalaamGarage founder Amanda Koster landed solo in Asmara, Eritrea (East Africa) 1 month after the end of a 30-year civil war with Ethiopia.  With her were written directions to her friend, Senayt’s grandmothers house in Tagrinia (Eritrean language). Regardless of the directions, the cabbie and she were lost for hours.  Once Amanda said out-loud the only words written in English, “Salaam Garage?!” (the garage next to Senayt’s grandmothers house) everything came together.  They were there in 5 minutes while the trip changed her life forever.

After about the 25th person asked “…can I come with you?” [accompany her while shooting her international documentary projects] Amanda saw a way to leverage the integrity and success of her own career and create intimate social documentary projects and adventures for others.  Koster and the SalaamGarage team believe ‘amateur’ or ‘professional’ makes little difference when the goal is to tell stories that cause positive change.  Blogs, web sites, ipods, cell phones, pocket video cameras, and blackberries; as well as electronic and physical communities, everyone has the power to create powerful stories and intentional content that will spread into the world, raise awareness, and cause change.

We are the media now. Join us.