Who is Protecting Zimbabwe's Girls? :: The Girl Child Network & Tapestries of Hope

I found this trailer particularly disturbing ... yet I'm disappointed that I missed the film at the USF Human Rights Film Festival.

TAPESTRIES OF HOPE
2009, USA, 76 min., Directed by Michealene Cristini Risley

Presented by the President’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Tapestries of Hope, explores filmmaker and child rights advocate Michealene Cristini Risley's sojourn to Zimbabwe to document the work of Betty Makoni and the Girl Child Network. The film exposes an issue that continues to be ignored: the rape and sexual abuse of thousands of young girls in Zimbabwe, by men who believe their actions will cure them of HIV/AIDS.



The film was produced by Fresh Water Spigot, an independent film production company based in California. Their core team is Writer/Producer/Director Michealene Cristini Risley, Producer Anand Chandrasekaran, Producer Ray Arthur Wang, and Executive Assistant Lauren Carara.


How You Can Help - check out the Girl Child Network, and then consider volunteering for the org.

Girl Child Network Worldwide believes that our empowerment model, built in Zimbabwe, having reached some 300,000 girls, can be applied in many places. It’s based on our experience that when girls receive fundamental support and encouragement from each other, gain an education, and learn their legal and human rights, they overcome a range of challenges, growing to fulfill their potential as human beings and as young leaders.


photo: Betty

In 2009 Betty was recognized as a CNN Hero of 2009. CNN Heroes received nearly 9,000 submissions from 100 countries. A Blue Ribbon Panel selected the Top 10 CNN Heroes for the year, and over 1 million people voted for their CNN Hero of the Year.