Toronto-based Buck Productions is heading to Guatemala for a six-part series called The Project, for Rogers Media specialty OLN.

The six x one-hour series has just begun production, and will premiere later this year on OLN.

Adventurer Ray Zahab (pictured) hosts The Project, which follows nine young adults who think they’re going on a reality adventure in an exotic location, but are actually going to Tecpan, Guatemala, to help a local charity build a structure for The Project Somos Children’s Village.

The series was developed by Rogers Media and Buck Productions. The production team includes creator/supervising producer Jim Kiriakakis (Keys to the VIP), executive producer Sean Buckley (Saw Dogs), showrunner Thomas Chenowith (Million Dollar Neighbourhood) and Simon Gebski (Deals from the Dark Side). For Rogers, Claire Freeland is director of original programming, and Marni Goldman is production executive for original programming.

“The Project offers thought-provoking content for Canadian viewers in a fun doc-reality format that’s both inspiring and eye-opening,” said Claire Freeland. “This series is a great addition to the OLN primetime lineup and reiterates our promise to delivering quality original programming.”

Sean Buckley, Buck Productions owner and executive producer, added: “This is not your average reality show. We want to capitalize on the power of television to send a message to our viewers, and for them to walk away entertained and educated about another part of the world, and hopefully, themselves.”

From realscreen