DOCUMENTARY
Comments |
"This is a fresh, unrehearsed look at the real lives of these boys
living on the street in Tanzania. It's heartbreaking to watch, and
yet the smiles on the boys' faces as they find ways to entertain themselves
and their resiliency in coping with whatever life brings them makes
you want to know more. It was almost shocking, but very real, to be
taken with the camera to the places where they sleep, the lack of
sanitation and medical care, etc. Aside from documenting the living
conditions, these film-makers clearly know and love the boys, and
you see the kid's strength and talents come through as well. I think
this is an important documentary for everyone to see!"
Jan D Brooks, Educator, Human and Community Development
Champaign
"The documentary was very informative. It exposed me to the effects
of globalization as families get dissociated due to the hopes of obtaining
jobs in bigger cities. As a woman of Nigerian decent, I was surprised
to see little homeless boys. Typically, if parents are not able to
take care of their children due to certain circumstances, the extended
family usually cares for the child. I hope the NGOs are making contacts
with some of the children's families as the family is the fabric of
society."
Uchechi Ukaegbu, Ph. D. candidate Dept. of Biochemistry, Molecular
Biology and Cell Biology
Evanston
"This is an ambitious project and I am most impressed with the
level-headed approach and honesty of the presentation.
Seeing those boys faces makes me just want to cry...and it brings
up so many questions...what happened to their parents? Why are they
on the street? Why hasn't the government done anything to help them?
What will they be like as adults? etc. etc . . ."
Mark Blottner, Filmaker
Chicago
"I felt that it was important to view this film with my five year
old son. Oftentimes we fail to realize how privileged we are and I
know that even on my most challenging day, I don't have to face the
calamities that the young boys in the film endured. There has not
been a day that has gone by since I watched the film that I haven't
thought of those beautiful little boys, as they are constant reminders
for me to be thankful in all things. The film has also significantly
impacted my son, and he has asked God to "bless the little boys that
live in the street in Africa" on multiple occasions . Watoto wa Mitaani is definitely a film worth purchasing and Liwalo is an initiative
that we definitely need to support!"
Andrea S. Wilson, Ph.D Educational Administration & Foundations
Department
Illinois State University
"I saw the preview and I was shaking. I am back in Berlin three months
now but still feel so close to Tanzania when I see the
pictures... I tell you, sometimes my heart really aches longing for
this country and its people!! I can say, I am in love with them!"
Juliane Kopp, Student
Berlin, Germany
"Wow, this was exceptionally thoughtful. My students and I were transfixed
on the film for the entire hour. I have never seen a film on this
subject where I felt a connection to the kids; I remember their names
and their personalities. There is a connection between you and children
that is incredible…those boys love you and so do my students who have
come to appreciate what they have. Thank you, you are brilliant. The
world must see what you have done."
Teresa Jones, Educator
Jamaica
"I cried and I smiled as I watched the documentary. Normally, these
features make me depressed but you present the boys in such a way
that brought a sense of joy."
Jennifer Wright, Retired
London
"I really enjoyed your film. I want to show it in my class next
semester. The technical work is fabulous!!!
I loved the film and was definitely inspired. "
Ruth Nicole Brown, PhD, Assistant Professor Educational Policy
Studies, Gender & Women's Studies
"I enjoyed your video. It was an intimate look into the lives of
the Tanzanian street children. I felt a slew of emotions when I saw
their situation, and I wanted to get involved. I felt sad to see their
plight, and angry with the phenomenon of globalization and other factors
that created their situation. "
Julia Bena Goldberg, M.A., Educator
Chicago
"It provides a striking example by which to compare our own experiences,
to learn about different countries and the result of Western foreign
policy. Very impressive, and the grass-roots nature of the documentary and
your organization is very appealing."
Jon N. Hale, PhD candidate, Educational Policy Studies
Champaign
"It was truly inspiring piece that captures the real time images
of street children in Tanzania. Great work!"
Jessica Mayfield, Instructional Designer
Skokie
"This film accomplishes much more than simply inciting an emotional
reaction from the viewer. It makes it plain as day to the viewer just
how easy it is for any individual to have real impact on the life
of one of these children. I kept saying to myself, "If I give this
$5 that I have in my pocket this kid I'm watching can buy the shoes
and shirt they need to start attending school." We need more visual
connections like this to help the common Westerner overcome the fallacy
that you must have lots of time or money to have impact on another
human's life. It's really quite easy. All we need is to connect with
an organization like Liwalo."
Sarah Rosenbaum, Business Development Associate
Evanston
"When I first found out about the film, I felt a sense of nervousness
that its content would be a Westernized account of the issues of street
children in Tanzania. However, upon watching the movie and understanding
the project, the Liwalo na Liwe Foundation serves as an example of the enormous potential for
positive change that can be galvanized by young adults. It is truly
inspiring that this project was originally conceived and is currently operated by
college students. One can definitely draw motivation from the actions of
the Liwalo na Liwe Foundation. Firstly, any individual can have an affect in
correcting social ills; it is not an apparition to see African-Americans
interested in African issues throughout the diaspora; and that social
projects in Africa can exist without a Western NGO ideology. I am very
interested in the actions, plans and goals of the Liwalo na Liwe Foundation and
truly have an admiration for those who move beyond simple rhetoric and
actually initiate positive change."
Nat Moore, Student
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
