Agassiz, BC -- Social Justice Film Festival

INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE...

(REPORT from Susie Banfield, Voiceless Children US

The presentation of "A Grandmother's Tribe" to a local Idaho youth group (Grades 9 to 12), on Sunday, October 5th, was an inspiration to both myself and the eager young viewers. As I sat among the group after the film's screening, I learned that our younger generation is not out of touch with the world, but are caring and concerned about our shared future. When asked about how the film affected them, here are some of the comments received.

The film was about respect for the older generation and respect for each other. It made me think about how I respect my elders.

It showed me what great love they have for family and each other.

It made me think about myself and where I'm headed in life. It is so much easier for me to make those decisions than those who have less.

We are lucky here in this country... that we have so many advantages, even if our families are not wealthy.

I learned that we should appreciate the fact that we can go to the store and buy a chicken... and not have to share it with eight people.

It makes me thankful that I can take a shower every day and that I don't have to walk so far just to water for drinking and washing.

It made me want to go to Kenya and help those less fortunate.

I believe that the meaning that young viewers experienced is valuable to them and that reaching across the world to share this human insight is powerful. As we move forward in screening "A Grandmother's Tribe", we will continue our tireless efforts to raise the funding necessary to ensure a hopeful future for these amazing elder women and the grandchildren in their care.

Please contact us directly if you would like to arrange a a special screening of this film!!

In the US... susieatvoiceless@aol.com (To visit the VC BLOG click here)

Corporate Film Screening (Toronto, ON, Canada)

Monday, April 28th… In Toronto, a private screening was held for the employee team of Body Plus Nutritional Products. The after-work screening, brought together about twenty staff members. Following the screening and questions, President and owner of the company, Norm Danniels, announced that the 2007 staff donations fund, had “found its new project on the screen”.

We are very grateful for their generous spirit and look forward to keeping staff informed of the difference their donation will make for grandmother families in Africa.

CANAC Conference (Ottawa, ON, Canada)

Tuesday, April 22nd… While in Ottawa, Elaine Munro, one of the executive producers, also presented the film at the national conference of Canadian Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (CANAC). There has been an ongoing connection between the film and CANAC since the first day of shooting in Kenya and it was an honour to complete the journey with the presentation of the film to CANAC members in Ottawa.

Grans & Friends (Kanata, ON, Canada)

Monday, April 21st… A Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) grandmother group, “Grans & Friends”, hosted a screening of “A Grandmother’s Tribe” in Kanata, Ontario. The evening event took place at the All Saints Catholic High School, with over 50 people attending. Sue Cousineau, who recently traveled to Africa with the SLF grandmother delegation, spoke highly of the film and added her African experiences and insights at the end of the screening. It is estimated that the event raised over $1,000 to benefit SLF.

Edmonton Fundraiser - International Women's Day march 8th

International Women's Day - Mar. 8, 2008, A joyous celebration for all ages

7:30 P.M at Village Lifestyles …. 10429 – 79 Ave www.villagelifestyles.com

SEE THIS INSPIRING DOCUMENTARY FILM and hear tributes to women by Roz Shepherd, Rae Watterworth, and Tracy Reed +LIVE ENTERTAINMENT + DISCUSSION + REFRESHMENTS will be provided by the GANG

ADMISSION by DONATION: All Proceeds go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, Grandmothers to Grandmothers Project www.stephenlewisfoundation.org

If 3 women heed this message, and if they tell 3 other women, there would be 9.
If each of them then spread the word to 3 others, there would be 27.
If each of these 27, passed this along to 3 of their friends, there would be 81.
If these 81 women talked to 3 others, in just 4 steps, there would be 243. In thirteen steps—three to the thirteenth power- the message “support our sisters in Africa” would reach over a million women

This is how geometrical progression works ... this is how a virus spreads and becomes an epidemic
... this is how consciousness-raising groups became the women’s movement. This is how Canadian Grandmothers and Others can reach out to the courageous African Grandmothers who are left to care for and support their grandchildren who are suffering as a result of the HIV-AIDS epidemic.
CELEBRATE THE POWER AND COURAGE OF WOMEN – THERE IS HOPE!

A night to remember in Vancouver

We couldn’t wait to update you on the recent journey of ‘A Grandmother’s Tribe’ to Vancouver, Canada where we held a Gala Screening and Fundraiser on 31st October 2007!!

PHOTOS FROM THE GALA FUNDRAISER AND SCREENING IN VANCOUVER, CANADA:
As you’ll see, we had an excellent turnout at the Vancity Theatre on the evening of 31st October 2007. Special guests included…
• Victor Chan, Founder of the Dalai Lama Center who gave a very warm introduction to the film
• Christine Magill, Special Advisor from the Stephen Lewis Foundation
• Martyn Element, Gala event sponsor and President, Element and Associates, Vancouver
• Felix Masi (Kenya) and Susie Banfield (US) from Voiceless Children.

We were supported by many generous event sponsors such as the Nu & C restaurant team, the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Mat Wilcox and her team from TheWilcox Group, M-13 Ventures Ltd, Pam Wright, The West Vancouver Anglican Church Choir, Whitefish Group, A&B Party Event Rentals, Lilacs and Lavenders, Simply Safari and a number of wonderful volunteers.

ELEVEN NEW GRANDMOTHER HOMES AND ONE NEW 'FELLOW':
The highlight of the Gala Event came towards the end of the evening. Following a question from an audience member about the cost of Freda’s new home, there was a spontaneous ‘bidding’ to contribute eleven new grandmother homes, at $3,000 US each, for the village grandmothers profiled in the film. These two-bedroom homes with a separate bathroom will bring renewed pride and motivation to the lives of these older women and the community they live in. Voiceless Children will now focus its efforts on building these homes in Funyula over the next 12 months. Their vision in doing so is to build long-term sustainability of the community. Village youth will also be mentored in trade skills to build these homes which will provide them with employable skills as well as earning fees to continue with their schooling. It is a remarkable model of providing sustainable ‘hand up’ assistance that benefits multi-generations at one time.
A heartfelt “thank you” to those individuals who have so graciously stepped forward to make this happen!

Our second exciting announcement is the appointment of Felix Masi, as the first Borderless Foundation “Fellow”. Felix is the founder of Voiceless Children who works in Kenya to support these grandmother-headed homes. BORDERLESS FOUNDATION TRUST is a Charitable Purpose organization set up in New Zealand to support projects created by Borderless Productions Limited. This fellowship will allow Felix the freedom to focus his energies in the coming year to make a world of difference in the lives of Kenyan grandmotherfamilies.


THANK YOU FOR THE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT!!!
We thought that finishing the film would be one of our greatest accomplishments. I can assure you that the real journey begins now. We are more passionate than ever about the positive change that can be initiated through the film and people who genuinely care. We hope you’ll join us on this journey of compassion and positive change!!