Tag Archives: video

A Blockbuster Time for She’s the First

"In Kibera," Shining Hope for Communities powerful new film collection

"In Kibera," Shining Hope for Communities powerful new film collection

I’ve noticed recently that She’s the First is in a flurry of film! Kate Lord and Christen Brandt are gearing up for their trip to Shanti Bhavan in India, where they’ll be filming a short documentary, and of course we recently launched our brand-new PSA (see it on our homepage!).

And one of our partner schools, Shining Hope for Communities in Kenya, just launched an incredible new film platform. “In Kibera” features short videos about the lives of those who have been impacted by Shining Hope. The videos are beautifully done, intriguing and inspiring. Visit the site and you’ll learn about Baba Diana, the father of a student at the Kibera School for Girls who wants nothing more than to see his young daughter live a life filled with learning. You’ll be captivated by the story of Shining Girls for Kibera, an empowerment group for young girls.  In Coaches, you’ll feel the dedication of a man committed to supporting the children of Kibera through coaching. I’m already beyond-impressed by the phenomenal work of Shining Hope for Communities, but this new website is truly icing on the cake.

I also recently got a chance to attend a film festival with Brianne Riviello, She’s the First Pen Pal coordinator and former Ithaca grad! Because I’m an Ithaca College student living in upstate New York, it’s a rare day that I can visit my She’s the First friends based in New York City. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I found out Brianne would be visiting Ithaca, New York for its famous FLEFF Film Festival! We were moved by the screening of “Africa is a Woman’s Name,” a collection of three documentaries about women who are catalysts for change.  At the film’s conclusion, we were asked to speak about the She’s the First. All the Ithaca students lit up in smiles when we reminded them they already know of She’s the First – the organization that brought them the famous tie-dye cupcakes! For more information on the documentary and other films about women’s rights and education, visit this site.

I’ve loved learning about new films that bring to life how women are empowered by education. What are your go-to girls’ education films? If you have any recommendations, tweet us or comment below!

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Project Education Sudan & The World’s Newest Country

Project Education Sudan, also known as the “little NGO that could,” is doing remarkable work in Southern Sudan. This Colorado Public Television special gives a rare, first-hand look into the work PES is doing to not only help the people of this region get an education, but begin to grow as an independent country.

In January of this year the region held a referendum that confirmed the South will become a nation of its own, starting on July 9. This historic event brings new hope for the people of South Sudan and PES is working diligently at their side every step of the way.

Take a few moments to watch, it will inspire you!

Watch the full episode. See more Studio 12.

[Editor's Note: If you're short on time, take a look around 7:00. They discuss girls' ed at Project Education Sudan's all-girls school, Ayak Anguei!]

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She’s the First Wins FIRST in Vivanista Video Contest!

As many of you know, She’s The First*{Syracuse} entered a video in Vivanista’s “Parties For a Purpose” contest. We were thrilled when we learned that we were one of the top 5 finalists, and on Saturday, even bigger news was announced: WE WON!

This is a victory for all She’s The First supporters. Our video received more than 6,000 votes, thanks to so many of you voting each and every day of the contest, and telling your friends to do the same. By posting the link to Vivanista’s voting page on Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites, you helped the word spread like wildfire.

We are so grateful to have won the $1,000 prize, and we plan to put 80% of the money toward girls’ sponsorships in a program from the She’s the First directory (we’ll decide which ones when She’s the First*{Syracuse} holds our first meeting of Spring semester, and we’ll keep you posted!). We’ll also reinvest 20% into an STF fundraiser at Syracuse University that raises more than $200 to send even more girls to school.

So thank YOU for using the power of social media to lead us to victory and help us transform girls’ lives!

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She's the First is a Finalist in Vivanista.com's Video Contest!

We have 13 days to vote!

This just in: the video created by She’s The First*{Syracuse} for Vivanista’s “Parties for a Purpose” contest is one of the top five finalists! We are thrilled, but now it’s up to all of you to help us be the most popular party and win the first-place $1,000 prize! The money will enable us to sponsor girls in the She’s the First directory, bringing us closer to She’s the First’s goal of sponsoring 500 girls this year. Head over toVivanista’s site and “RSVP to our party” (aka vote for our video)! Voting ends January 15, so vote now and we’ll all have a reason to celebrate!

VOTE HERE!

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A Day in the Life at Shanti Bhavan, our India Partner

Shanti Bhavan published a new Youtube video yesterday that we LOVE! It gives you an exact picture of what the girls whom you can sponsor experience. You can support them through planning your own grassroots fundraiser, to sponsor all or part of a year’s education for a girl, or by purchasing one of our She’s the First bracelets. Any of you who came to the She’s the First Soiree on November 1st in NYC already helped us sponsor a girl there! We will be introduced to her in January, and you’ll meet her on the blog. She will be graduating in the Class of 2012, so that means….

…the She’s the First team is dreaming of taking a trip in 2012 to meet her at graduation…want to come? ;)

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Partying For a Purpose with She’s the First*{Syracuse}

Things are moving fast for the Syracuse University branch of She’s the First! Our first major project as a chapter was creating a video entry for Vivanista’s “Parties For a Purpose” contest. The goal of the contest is to promote fundraising through innovative and creative parties and gatherings. With events like GIRLS WHO ROCK and the She’s the First Soiree, She’s the First is a pro at bringing out the FUN in fundraising!

GIRLS WHO ROCK inspired our video, and we provided step-by-step instructions to viewers on how to throw an awesome party for a good cause.

Soon, we will need your help! Beginning January 1, 2011, Vivanista will post all of the entries on their website for public voting. The group whose video receives the most votes will win $1,000 toward their cause. We know you’re social media savvy—so get ready to Facebook and tweet up a storm to spread the word about our video.

We’ll keep you posted about the voting process. In the meantime, check out our video and leave some feedback. We’d love to hear what you think!

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Happy First Birthday, She's the First!

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Islon from Haiti: I’m the First!

Last month, volunteers from the Haiti Outreach Program visited Boucan Carre to work on projects throughout the community. While they were there, volunteers met a student named Islon, and she quickly stole their hearts. Juliet Suman, an adult volunteer for the HOP, told me all about Islon in a recent letter and why we know she will one day be the first.

Hi Katie!

My name is Juliet Suman and I have had the privilege of traveling to Haiti twice where Islon (11 yrs old in 5th grade ) captured all our hearts. What strikes you instantly about Islon is her confidence…she LOVES being “in her skin”! My own daughter observed in August that she is Haiti’s “IT girl.” In the USA we would just say she’s ALL THAT!

Islon is the oldest of three children and the only girl. Her mother left them to be raised by the grandmother so that she could pursue work in another town. The grandmother could not afford the 3, so Islon (the only girl) has had to live with a different family and be fed by the kindness of the priest at St. Michel Catholic Church. She often goes to bed hungry!

Islon can dance and sing with so much youthful joy (it is contagious to watch)…she is a delight! What really impressed and surprised us was her amazing ability to read English. She could read the words on all our t-shirts, nothing was too hard!!!! She has so much spark and intelligence. Even though she lives more humbly than we can ever imagine, but showed us her mud shack with such pride. “C’est my maison!”

Islon enjoys being alive and loves her world. I think if opportunities were presented to her, she would be able to serve the country she lives as an incredible, educated Haitian young woman.

We were so sure that “she was the first” one that you are looking for, that we videoed her telling you so!!! She says “I AM THE FIRST!”

Sincerely,
Juliet Suman

Islon is just one of many students at St. Michel’s primary school who still need sponsors. For $100/year, the Haiti Outreach Program provides tuition, a uniform, school supplies, and a hot daily meal for students in Boucan Carre. Read about how others have supported the Haiti Outreach Program through She’s the First here. You can do it too!

Have any of you been to, or are you thinking of traveling to, Haiti?

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