In the past 24 hours, I have come across information about 3 different compelling projects about kids in Africa.

Yesterday as I was searching for the best method to email our database a video trailer about our short, I noticed an email from a stranger via FunSlide on Facebook. The video was a section from a film called The Fragrant Spirit of Life. When I visited the San Damiano Foundation web site to learn more, I noticed they had an amazing list of heart wrenching documentaries about the poor and hungry. I am so impressed with filmmaker Gerry Straub and whoever else is responsible.

The second film is called Tapestries of Hope which I believe came out earlier this summer. The producer, Michealene C. Risley, left a successful corporate career and made this film. Talk about tough subject matter. It’s about rape and abuse of children. Traditional healers in Zimbabwe have been counseling men that if they rape a virgin they will cure their AIDS. This directive is one of the leading causes of the increased spread of AIDS in the next two generations, as young girls who are raped get infected and transfer the disease to their newborns. Last year alone, a local non-governmental organization, or NGO, recorded 4,146 cases of sexual abuse against children in its relatively small area of operation.

On a happy note, the non profit program, Freshwater Haven, has grown tremendously since its inception, with more than 30,000 girls across the country involved today. GCN uses a human rights-based approach to address gender inequalities in education and in all social, political and economic aspects of life. It is a community-based grassroots organization with several strategic programs, including educational training, advocacy and community development. Thanks to my friend Dave Bittner for sharing this info with me.

The third story is about how a local business woman and acquaintance, Eileen Rogers, of Allegra Printing and her friend are apparently celebrating their milestone birthdays this year by requesting donations to build a school in Africa. What a great idea! I used to do business with Eileen when I was in Scottsdale. It’s nice to do business with people like that. What a mensch! All of these people are, they are helping to change the world.