I was deeply moved by the compelling Documentary “A Small Act” which tells the story of Kenyan Chris Mburu whose secondary education was sponsored via a monthly donation made by a Swedish woman named Hilde Back. He never met her. She simply responded to an ad announcing a Swedish scholarship program for poor kids in Kenya. Fast forward 35 years later and Mburu, now a Harvard Law Graduate, is an officer of the UN’s committee investigating global cilvil rights abuses. He has created a scholarship fund to help other children in Kenya, quite like he was helped so many years ago. He named his scholarship fund after his benefactor as her generosity led to his success and indirectly to the success of all the young people he helps in Kenya. And he wants to thank her personally. But first he must find her.
The film documents his meeting Hilde as well as the selection process for the scholarship. We are taken into the lives of three very lovely and smart children whose very future – and that of their families – depends on winning this scholarship so that they may continue their education and attain the ultimate dream – attending University. Mburu believes that education is the key out of poverty and the cycle of violence that plagues so many developing countries.
Charming and at times heartbreaking – I can not recommend this film enough. I saw it On Demand on cable. Partake and check out the Hilde Back Education Fund.
Make a donation. A small act can affect the lives of so many.
Would love to see it, but I don’t have cable. Couldn’t see any listing for it on my Direct TV satellite. If you can make a DVD or know other ways I can view it let me know. Education is the one thing in this world that can’t be taken away once you have it! Paying it forward for those that are unable to attain it is an awesome thing. I also watched a tribute to Chakka Kahn for her body of work for the UNCF. As an educator I’m thrilled to see all kinds of people caring about the future of the world’s youth. We know what happens to them when they aren’t educated.
It was wonderful, won all kinds of awards. I will keep a look out for the dvd for ya. Follow the links and you can visit the film web site and the Hilde Back fund site.
Followed all the links Lynne as you suggested. I did a lot of reading aboout the fund and film. It’s a winner at several film festivals and was as Sundance. Currently on HBO. An educational copy of DVD is $295 right now, but I got on mailing list for spring home DVD purchase. Read about Ms. Back and Chris and saw pictures of both. Plan on becoming a donor. Have friends that support kids in Africa that I’ll share with. Thanks so very much for spreading the good word.
I became a donor also. I am glad you found it inspiring. Wait till you see the film!!! Kids here take college for granted you know – as well they can I guess, butit puts a whole new prospective on it when you see stories like these. And Chris’ cousin also got a sponsor and went to Harvard Law and works with the UN investigating genocide and other atrocities worldwide (Kosovo, Rwanda etc) They didn’t waste their blessings.
Lynne you are so right about the kids in America viewing education as a right. Many of my students in middle school whine about coming to school! That is a sad state of affairs when they care more about who wins the Super Bowl than who wins the Scholar Bowl!! That is why we trail other countries in technology. At the same time other children are begging to have the opportunity. The importance of education starts at home and to many in America it’s not a priority. I want to see the film, but also want to share it with students. May have an evening showing for adults too.
It makes me view the African kids that were at college with me with even more respect. I knew a girl from Kenya back then and we used to tease her about never partying and she told me point blank: “That is not why I am here. I must do well here and I can not afford any distractions. I have to honor the people who sacrificed for me to come here.” And I never quite got it. When I look back on it I was in the same position except for the “bringing my parents out of poverty” part. Education was the only way I was going to be able to rise above and fulfill my promise of acquiring knowledge of a larger world.