Spirit of a Child a web-documentary
Donation protected
Click Teaser Trailer:
WHY?
Simply, we want to help. The moment we met Mama Laadi there was an instantaneous connection to her and the children in Bolgatanga, Ghana and once we heard their stories it changed everything. We were moved to act and assist when news surfaced about their NGO sponsors rescinding its support.
Mama Laadi and the children she supports
So what's different THIS time?
A lot... in 2017 I teamed with Rustic Pathways and we spear-headed a Kickstarter campaign before production commenced. Unfortunately, the Kickstarter was unsuccessful at meeting the goal, therefore, $0 in funding. That didn't stop us! I conferred with Katherin Hervey and Josh Doke, my producer and editor respectively, and their support and encouragement prepared me to set sail for Ghana. Since I began production, Raafiu Mohammad, my set producer and assistant director, was by my side guiding along with Katherin (via Whatsapp) to keep me aligned to the ever-present story. After several weeks in Bolgatanga with many interactions, interviews and connections established... A film was made!
Video: Support our Art for Humanity interview with director Louis Bryant
WHAT is it?
We're presenting a visual story by way of a series of connected clips that encourage an audience's interaction. The goal is to promote an immersive awareness that puts you closer to the experiences happening within the walls of Mama Laadi's Home. This campaign is to develop and complete the project. So far, The Spirit of a Child, has evolved from a thoughtful idea of support to a tangible production of a story that presents the characteristics of a woman and her role in supporting anyone despite cultural differences and norms.
In Ghana, there's a unique home of second chances in the Upper East region. Mama Laadi, a devoted mother to over thirty children in the small town of Bolgatanga, is more than a provider – she stands in the face of adversity while countering the cultural norms of outing children believed to have spirits. Stories of truth unveiled as Mama’s faith combats the everyday struggles defined by a dependency on donations. The project is aimed at providing awareness while presenting the beautiful display of resplendent love despite hardships.
...and the GOAL?
Ideally, the documentary will speak to NGO audiences encouraging sustainable support for the children's home.
The project delivers measurable social awareness because on a day to day basis people have no clue that a situation like this exists in modern day. There are children being murdered because they have cerebral palsy, removed from school for being too artistically gifted, or ostracized because they have no mother or father to care for them. Mama Laadi ignores the societal and opens her door to ANYONE despite their background and situation.
When people see/hear these stories, we want to compel them to support Mama Laadi Children’s Home because it is unlike ANY other group home or orphanage that exists. When people see that they will want to make a difference for the lives of her children, because many aspire to grow up and help their community as Mama Laadi has done. The fact that we will have individually linked donation pages as well as a general donation page will measure the way in which the story emotionally and ethically engages the audience.
Video: The Woman We Know as Mama
TEAM
We are a team of artistic difference makers with members in located in Ghana and various parts of the U.S. We connect regularly about ideas, approaches and content to develop. However, funds are difficult to make significant progress for the amount of work to finish.
Ghanaian Film Crew - Raafiu &Isaac
Please visit www.spiritofachilddoc.com for more information. Thank you!
WHY?
Simply, we want to help. The moment we met Mama Laadi there was an instantaneous connection to her and the children in Bolgatanga, Ghana and once we heard their stories it changed everything. We were moved to act and assist when news surfaced about their NGO sponsors rescinding its support.
Mama Laadi and the children she supportsSo what's different THIS time?
A lot... in 2017 I teamed with Rustic Pathways and we spear-headed a Kickstarter campaign before production commenced. Unfortunately, the Kickstarter was unsuccessful at meeting the goal, therefore, $0 in funding. That didn't stop us! I conferred with Katherin Hervey and Josh Doke, my producer and editor respectively, and their support and encouragement prepared me to set sail for Ghana. Since I began production, Raafiu Mohammad, my set producer and assistant director, was by my side guiding along with Katherin (via Whatsapp) to keep me aligned to the ever-present story. After several weeks in Bolgatanga with many interactions, interviews and connections established... A film was made!
Video: Support our Art for Humanity interview with director Louis Bryant
WHAT is it?
We're presenting a visual story by way of a series of connected clips that encourage an audience's interaction. The goal is to promote an immersive awareness that puts you closer to the experiences happening within the walls of Mama Laadi's Home. This campaign is to develop and complete the project. So far, The Spirit of a Child, has evolved from a thoughtful idea of support to a tangible production of a story that presents the characteristics of a woman and her role in supporting anyone despite cultural differences and norms.
In Ghana, there's a unique home of second chances in the Upper East region. Mama Laadi, a devoted mother to over thirty children in the small town of Bolgatanga, is more than a provider – she stands in the face of adversity while countering the cultural norms of outing children believed to have spirits. Stories of truth unveiled as Mama’s faith combats the everyday struggles defined by a dependency on donations. The project is aimed at providing awareness while presenting the beautiful display of resplendent love despite hardships.
...and the GOAL?
Ideally, the documentary will speak to NGO audiences encouraging sustainable support for the children's home.
The project delivers measurable social awareness because on a day to day basis people have no clue that a situation like this exists in modern day. There are children being murdered because they have cerebral palsy, removed from school for being too artistically gifted, or ostracized because they have no mother or father to care for them. Mama Laadi ignores the societal and opens her door to ANYONE despite their background and situation.
When people see/hear these stories, we want to compel them to support Mama Laadi Children’s Home because it is unlike ANY other group home or orphanage that exists. When people see that they will want to make a difference for the lives of her children, because many aspire to grow up and help their community as Mama Laadi has done. The fact that we will have individually linked donation pages as well as a general donation page will measure the way in which the story emotionally and ethically engages the audience.
Video: The Woman We Know as Mama
TEAM
We are a team of artistic difference makers with members in located in Ghana and various parts of the U.S. We connect regularly about ideas, approaches and content to develop. However, funds are difficult to make significant progress for the amount of work to finish.
Ghanaian Film Crew - Raafiu &IsaacPlease visit www.spiritofachilddoc.com for more information. Thank you!
Organizer
Louis Bryant III
Organizer
Oakland, CA
