English
News
Harambee in Rome
November 23, 2006
The Harambee Project -- born on the occasion of the canonization of Opus Dei founder Josemaría Escrivá -- aims to show that there is more in Africa than just famine and tragedies.
The award ceremony also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Institute for University Cooperation, which manages the Harambee programs. The Communicate Africa Prize has two categories: African and non-African production, each awarded a €10,000 ($12,800) prize. The prize was awarded to Nigerian Gabriel Otonoku for his documentary "Alaoma: Land of Beauty and Splendor."
The jury highlighted "the vision of a peaceful Nigeria, proud of its history and knowledgeable about its many cultures, where faith in Christ, belief in Allah, the practice of animist rites and other traditional religions coexist harmoniously. A Nigeria that advances toward modernity and economic development without denying its cultural roots."
Irishman Jim Fahy's documentary "When You Say Four Thousand Goodbyes" won in the non-African category. His film tells the story of Mike Meegan, an Irish doctor who for 25 years has looked after the health of 300,000 Masai in Kenya, in an area devoid of infrastructures, energy and drinking water, and scourged by AIDS, cholera, malaria and tuberculosis.
It is "the story of a man who does not and never will give up," said the jury that awarded the prize. "In his tireless struggle against pain, poverty and death, some see Dr. Meegan as a saint and others as a Don Quixote," the jury added. "We believe he is a man who cannot stand the suffering of others, and that is why he fights."
Prayer
RSS
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
YOUTUBE