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)

Village Life...

Grandmother's are the best! Go give your granny a hug!!!
We're in Busia at a village at the moment and will be here for a week in total. It's perfect. Then we're off to Kisumu and then Nakuru. (All this is west Kenya) The grannies came together yesterday in a gathering, one they usually have on tuesdays, with the purpose of building strength and sharing their burdens. With some of the help our sponsors have given, we were able to by each granny one bag of flour, one of sugar, and a tub of cooking fat. (Total cost 9,000 shillings) Ontop of that we gave them one litre of Paraffin which will help their grandchildren study by light when it gets dark.
Felix and Susie's work here with Voiceless is, in my opinion, the perfect approach to building sustainability for these communities without intruding on their normal ways of life.
They have so far built a pilot project - one home for a granny (Mama Frida) and it only cost $2100 US to build! And then they bought 10 cows for 10 grannies and those who missed out will take the offspring when these ones mature.
So we're back to basics here, but I am loving being able to stop and take a good look at how humans survive even in the most simple environments. Part of me envies the organic, natural way they live - sometimes I question whether we're that much better off in our busy, technologically bound world. Anyway, the point is, we're having an amazing experience and the story will be a beautiful one.
Thanks for all your ongoing support and drop us a line sometime.
All our love Dean and Q xx (And Felix and Susie from www.voicelesschildren.org - and Ndungu our driver). From Busia, Kenya.