Malawi Children's Village HIV Awareness

MCV has traditionally had an expectation that orphans who are supported in secondary school will engage in a payback programme during their holidays. Initially this involved construction projects, gardening, infant care and maintenance. Then they began to develop AIDS awareness theatre for performances in villages.

Video is used as a key tool for sharing the theatre performances with broader audiences. In 2003 the children were involved in their first video production, "Juma's Story", the story of how one loss to HIV/AIDS affects an entire community. "Juma's Story" was shown in the 36 villages served by MCV and was made available in village video shops throughout Malawi. It premiered at the American Embassy in Malawi on World AIDS Day 2004, with the orphans in attendance. It has also had wide distribution in the United States as a fundraiser and as an educational tool for schoolchildren.

A key programme approach involves building the skills of participating orphans to create and communicate their own stories. In 2004, 70 students participated in a writing of screen plays competition where a single story was selected. The orphans were taught technical aspects of video production. The students then produced "Martha's Story" on their own, including the acting, directing, filming and editing. They also produced and performed original music for the film. Production equipment is available at MCV; the children are working on their next video projects.

HIV/AIDS, Children.

"MCV now has the capability of producing media materials for Malawi's developing television industry and our orphans possess a new and salable skill that will foster not only confidence and creativity, but all economic self-sufficiency."