A Documentary on Happiness & Women in South Africa

The first trip to South Africa will be made in January 2011, led by University of Illinois community educator Jan Brooks who has been traveling to South Africa for the past six years working with community organizations in Cape Town and surrounding townships that provide education and support for women and care for children. This will be the first opportunity to personally meet and establish further relationships with women interested in sharing their story, one of whom is Mama Thope from the township of Khayelitsha. Growing up in the apartheid era, when her family struggled with poverty and forced relocation, she has rebuilt her life with a new freedom and has empowered others in doing the same.

Further travel plans to film the interviews in May 2011 will then be made based on the schedule and commitments established during the first trip. In the meantime, funds are being raised, further relationships with contacts in South Africa are being developed, and the project team continues to grow. Stephanie Stean, who has professional experience with human rights, social justice, cultural survival and has worked and traveled internationally, has come on as an advisor for the project with a growing role as potential director for the films. Victor Udoewa, who recently moved from South Africa where he was a lecturer at the University of Cape Town and an HIV/AIDS and crisis pregnancy counselor, has also joined the team in an advisory role. Jennifer Hanson, a freelance graphic artist, is creating the logo and building the website, and commitments for post-production have come from Chicago musician Adam Hitchell and Blue Sky Studios animator Isaac Holze.

Thank you for reading, and as a reminder, there are three ways to help and be a part of The Story:

1) Comment: Please share anything you would like in a comment below: questions, suggestions, encouragement, or perhaps the 'mountaintop you seek' 2) Donate - see the opportunity to do so on the right or top of the page; donations are tax-deductible and please let us know if you have any questions 3) Share: Post this link on facebook & twitter or directly share with someone you know: http://goto.gg/5958

With gratitude, Paul, Stephanie, and The Project Team The Story of Happiness

Former South African President Nelson Mandela once said, “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.” For South African women living in Cape Town townships, surrounded by the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world and the highest rate of rape per capita, they exist daily in the shadows of death. But this project seeks to know, what is the mountaintop they seek?

Through the production of 6 short documentary films, this project seeks to hear their stories and what they most desire in life, contributing to the creation of their 'story of happiness.' This is a story in which they speak out in powerful voices and shape their futures, describing the freedom they feel today and the freedom they still seek for tomorrow.

To raise funds for the project, we are currently involved in a "challenge" on GlobalGiving with 19 other award recipients from the World Bank program EVOKE, which sought to promote social innovation by awarding individual enterprises opportunities to grow. But we need your help.

During the month of August, we must raise at least $3,000 total from 50 different donors. This secures us a spot on GlobalGiving beyond August to continue raising the rest of our budget ($38,000). In addition, this project can earn an extra $3,000 in incentives by having the most (a) users making comments, (b) unique donors, and (c) funds raised by August 31. So, here are three ways to help:

1) Comment: Please share anything you would like in a comment below: questions, suggestions, encouragement, or perhaps the 'mountaintop you seek'!

2) Donate: All donations are tax-deductible, and you can find the opportunity to do so on the right side of this screen. To learn more about the project and budget, visit our front page (http://goto.gg/5958), as transparency is a priority in sharing how your money is being spent. In addition, we will continually share updates on the project, keeping you a part of "The Story" as it unfolds. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me (Paul) at paul@groundworkpublications.com or 309-712-5357.

3) Share: Post this link on facebook & twitter or directly share with someone you know: http://goto.gg/5958

We appreciate your time and support, and please let us know if you have any questions,

Paul, Stephanie, and The Project Team The Story of Happiness

Links:

• Donation FAQ