NEWS FLASH!  We have hit our target!  This is absolutely fantastic.   We'd like to thank you all for your incredibly generous support and faith in our project.  We leave on Tuesday 6th August to start filming.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Tools For Life: the Documentary

You’re not just helping make a film, you’re helping make a difference!

The Project

Six young women from East London are travelling out to Swaziland in Southern Africa.  They’re part of the Tools For Life project, an unusual and unconventional training programme set up by UK charity, Positive Women. 

Rachel, Ray, Danielle, Frankie, Rhiannon and Emma have been studying carpentry for 2 years and have agreed to take on a huge challenge that they hope may change lives.  They are going to teach 10 rural Swazi women some basic carpentry skills so they can set up a small woodworking business.  But why carpentry?   Well, the Swazi women, all affected by HIV/AIDS, need to make a living and carpenters are in short supply.  They believe that with a little training they’ll be able to make some essential items of furniture that are in high demand and will have a ready market in their community.  And what tops their list of things to make?  Well it’s not what you’d expect…  (have a look at our video if you can’t wait to find out).

We’ve teamed up with Positive women to make a documentary about this amazing project.

The women have just 4 weeks to complete the training, so this is going to be tough for the Swazis and students alike.  But there is an expert going along to help them.  Kath Moore has been a carpenter for over 30 years and she’ll be guiding them all the way.  Will they be able to do it?  Kath has confidence in them but Swaziland is a far cry from urban London.   And anything could happen.

Why Swaziland?

Swaziland is a small African country bordering South Africa.  It has a population of just over one million.  Over 70% are living in extreme poverty.  Swaziland has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world, and one of the lowest life expectancies (35 years old).

All of the Swazi women in the Tool For Life project are living with HIV/AIDS.  It’s a constant struggle to feed their children and grandchildren – most of the men have either died or have left to work in the city.  Besides the challenge of learning a new skill and surviving on it, they will have to face the deeply patriarchal society that has ingrained prejudices about women working in a trade.  But despite the doubters, the Swazi women are determined to succeed.

Who are we?

We are Maria Sorescu, Toni Hedley and Megan Evans.  We are a very dynamic team with great passion for film-making.  We’ve produced several short films, both documentaries and fiction.  The story of the Tools For Life project is engaging, emotional and original.  To do this justice, we’re planning a 30-40 minute film that charts the journey.   To make sure the film comes in, on time and on budget, Executive Producer Jenn Feray will be on location with us to help, guide and support.   Jenn’s had more than 20 year’s experience in broadcasting, so together with your help, we’re sure we can make a great film.

Why do we want to make this film?

We want this film to inspire action and boost women’s confidence and independence, not only in Africa but around the world as well.  The film will explore the prejudices surrounding women working in ‘a man’s world’; what obstacles they have to face as well as how women are trying to change their future, both in the UK and Swaziland.

We want to tell a story about hopes and expectations and the every-day struggle for survival of the Swazi women. We want this film to show how similar we all are, the drive to survive being something that we all share.  The film will not only tell the story of the two groups of women from opposite ends of the world, it will be used by Positive Women to promote the charity’s on-going work.  As well as screening the film in the UK, we hope to show it in Swaziland to help publicize the work of the Swazi carpenters and recruit women for future courses in carpentry and other skills..  By making the public aware of their story it’s hoped this will generate interest and help create demand for their products.  So rather than just documenting the development of their new business, the film can really help to sustain it by reaching out to a potential market beyond their local area.

How you can help

We want to make this film so the Tools For Life campaign will reach people around the world, but we do need your help.  We are lucky enough to have secured the use of camera, sound and post-production equipment.  And of course everyone involved in the project is donating all their time and expertise for free.

But we still need to raise £5100.   This will cover our flights, accommodation, and food during our 4 week stay.

By donating, you will be contributing to the making of the film and to the cause of the Tools For Life project. On top of the wonderful feeling that comes from helping, you can also receive some great perks and rewards for your donations.

Once we have raised enough to cover the production costs, all extra funds will go to Positive Women for this and future projects.

Please check out our blog to get updates on the film’s progress. You can also follow us on twitter and Facebook.

www.facebook.com/toolsorlifethedocumentary

twitter.com/ToolsforLifeDoc

So please make a contribution to the success of this wonderful project.  And remember:

You’re not just helping make a film, you’re helping make a difference!

Thank you for your support.

We know times are hard. So even if you aren’t able help us financially, you can still help by spreading the word about our film project.  Please share this page and our video with as many other people as possible. Or ‘like’ our Facebook page.  Knowing we have lots of support will really help us keep going.

In the unlikely event that the film is unable to proceed, you can choose to have your donation refunded in full (less the administration fees levied by Sponsume and PayPal) or donated to Positive Women to support their ongoing work with the women and children of Swaziland.