As you well know, watching a breakthrough happen in someone’s life is one of life’s greatest rewards.
Recently one of my Kayamandi students was attacked. His attackers used guns to beat him on the head and face, leaving him with stitches and a face swollen beyond recognition.
When I went to visit him at his home, he embraced me in a way I could sense not only the pain of recent events, but the pain of losing his mother as well.
He needed a mom’s loving arms, and he got them from me.
While our time together was incredibly special, it wasn’t until a few weeks later I began to see the full impact of the film ministry.
You see—it was time for this young man to stand before the class and pitch his next film. He weaved a story about two friends who unknowingly run into the wrong kind of guys, he described how one of the men would be beaten and hospitalized, and how his friend would react and seek out the assailants.
It was beautiful because he was utilizing film to work through his trauma.
By using a camera and actors, he was put in a position of power to explain a situation in which he had no control.
While I thoroughly enjoy teaching students the art of film and equipping them to move into a career of storytelling, helping kids with their traumas is my most fulfilling work. And it’s the reason I reach out to friends like you for help.
Will you consider making a generous monthly commitment to Film School Africa so we can effectively use film to change lives?
You can give online by simply clicking on www.threadsafrica.org. Or you can secure the address where you can send your check. Just be sure to designate your gift to the film school.
If you’re not able to participate at this time, there are other ways you can help. Certainly your prayers are powerful and effective. And Film School Africa is blessed to have an American high school student, Stephen Linam, helping us with our numerous equipment needs.
Stephen is repairing and enhancing used mac computers and video cameras so that we can put them to use. We’re also gathering headphones, microphones and computer speakers. You can contact Stephen directly at macsforafrica@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to donate some equipment to the cause.
Thank you for all you do to support this ministry—I’m forever changed because of your generosity.
Katie Taylor
The students put together a video so that you could see the impact of your giving. You can watch it by clicking this link http://youtu.be/df99FSH-YUY
