- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Thabo Wolfaardt hasn't added a story.
ABOUT
I am a filmmaker from South Africa, living in Los Angeles, and I am trying to make the first shooting phase of a very important documentary happen in Rwanda. I need your help!
Back in in October 2011, I travelled to Rwanda to document work being done by my dad’s NGO, The Word for All Nations. I knew that my dad had found renewed purpose at the age of 62, but I did not comprehend it until I saw him interacting with perpetrators and victims of the 1994 genocide. Past transgressions as a former racist in South Africa clearly helped my dad relate to killers and rapists in a way that I could not.
My first trip to Rwanda also introduced me to Pastor Deo, a man who has made it his life's work to forgive the people who killed 45 members of his family. I spent most of my time filming a dance troupe that was living in one of the Villages of Reconciliation that Pastor Deo’s organization had built. Through this project, I got to know men who committed mass murders as well as the women and families who were victimized by them. I could not quite wrap my head around the idea that these former enemies were peacefully sharing a community; the dramatic ancient volcanic terrain stained by a history of genocide.
PROJECT UBUMWE
Prior to 1994, Rwandans already plagued by mass killings, took sanctuary in the churches. But during the Genocide, it was different. The Interahamwe (Hutu militia) factored the churches into their plans. They conspired with pastors to lock up their own congregations and then tip off the militia when their flocks were captive inside. Pastor X (witholding his name until we have clearance from the Rwanda Prison Authorities) not only locked the doors to his full church and called the Interhawme, but he wielded the machete himself. When it was all over, more than 500 members of his congregation had been murdered.
This year Pastor Deo’s organization, Prison Fellowship Rwanda, and Rev. Gerrit’s organization, The Word for All Nations, received permission from the Rwandan government to launch Project Ubumwe. This initiative encourages genocide perpetrators, like Pastor X, to finally confess their horrific crimes to victims’ families – seeking reconciliation and helping to heal the still open wounds of genocide.
Project Ubumwe is a long, rigorous journey that begins when perpetrators commit to the reconciliation process. Many have been in prison for more than twenty years and have received countless hours of counseling and ministry. After a full and verified confession, prisoners may be accepted into Project Ubumwe. At that time, chaplains and prison authorities arrange face-to-face meetings for the prisoners to confess and ask forgiveness from the victims’ families. This can involve showing families where their loved ones’ bodies were buried and disclosing the details of their deaths – many of which had previously been unknown.
THE FILM
Phase 1 of Mbabarira will document the Word For All Nations and Prison Fellowship Rwanda’s initial rollout of Project Ubumwe for two weeks in late October 2015. This will include prisoner confessions, victim testimonies, forensic investigation of burial sites and other supporting evidence, as well as the meetings of prisoners with the families of their victims.
By focusing on genocide perpetrators’ repentance, reconciliation & reintegration into the community, Project Ubumwe directly challenges the western concept of justice. At a time when Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with mass incarceration aimed at punitive justice, the Rwandan model presents a striking alternative based on restorative justice and significantly lower rates of recidivism.
The film will explore how the teachings of Christianity are a driving force behind the post-genocide reconciliation movement in Rwanda. As a fly on the wall, our lens will bear witness to the testimonies of the perpetrators and the reactions of the victims’ families. Are the confessions sincere? Can forgiveness ever exist when the crimes were so heinous?
As the story unfolds, Rev. Gerrit, Pastor Deo, and their chaplains will guide us, and the confessed prisoners, through the challenging mission of Project Ubumwe.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
The doors of opportunity have opened rather suddenly, with the Rwandan prison Authority authorizing access for us to film and take part in the confession and reconciliation process - where no other documentarians or journalists have ever been allowed.
We need help financing the basics of Phase 1. The filmmakers have already purchased a plane ticket for Thabo as well as provided him with most of the equipment. The trip to Rwanda is a "go!" However, to make the project a success our immediate financial need is for:
1) $2500 for Accomodation, Transportation, Meals for crew and their hosts.
2) $1500 for a Sound Mixer and Equipment for two weeks.
3) $1500 for additional Camera Operator for two weeks.
4) $1300 for additional Camera, Lighting, and Editorial equipment.
5) $800 for director's expenses.
We would love to exceed our goal so that we can dive right into
Phase 2. Thank you for generously helping out!
Thabo, Ken, and Melanie
Perks
Highlights
See all activity47Activity
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.