Posts filed under 'War'

Meet WeOwnTV youth filmmaker Yeali Thoronka. Yeali shares that as a very small child the only memory preserved from the day the rebels came is being pulled away from her mother. Eventually the war would mean the death of both of her parents, leaving her and her sister (Kanku Thoronka) to fend for themselves. Optimistic that “Our Own TV” can unite the community and create positive change, Yeali believes being part of the program will transform her life.

Meet WeOwnTV youth filmmaker Kanku Thoronka. An aspiring actress, Kanku is focused on improving her life. Having escaped the war and having lived as a refugee in Guinea, she returned to Sierra Leone finding dramatic change. With her home and country destroyed, and her family dead she turned to prostitution for survival. Without a foundation to build from, she and her peers were unsure of how to create a future. Finding hope in education she is beginning to write a new life chapter.

Meet WeOwnTV youth filmmaker Fatmata Mansaray. Her spirited voice is captivating as she shares that as a child the war brought her heartbreak and devastation. Witnessing the death of family members and the violent rape of her sister, she was taken captive by their attackers and forced into servitude as a rebel wife for six years, until she was able to escape. She is hopeful of the positive impact WeOwnTV can have on improving her life.

Meet WeOwnTV youth filmmaker, Sheku Sheriff. As a former child solider who found an opportunity to escape rebel control, he describes memories of civil war. Having survived the war, Sheku believes the ability to learn is a gift from God. He is committed to learning and making future contributions potentially as a lawyer, journalist and filmmaker. The pride and passion for his culture and country are compelling.

Black Nature, in many ways the inspiration behind WeOwnTV, introduces himself and shares the plight of his country and the devastation from which they are recovering. He discusses the opportunity presented by giving the young generation a platform to tell their stories. Introducing several of the young filmmakers, Nature describes the WeOwnTV program and its mission in Sierra Leone.

Meet WeOwnTV youth filmmaker Mariama Bah. With a distinct spark in her eye, Mariama tells of her dreams of being a world leader. She believes if she commits to her education and to moving beyond the hurts of war, her opportunities will be limitless. Having lost her mother to sickness and her father to rebel violence, young Mariama was left to fend for her survival and turned to prostitution. Recognizing the dangers she pulled away and dedicated herself to improving her life through education.