| Advanced Search |
Knowledge SectionsE-magazinesThe CI PartnersClassifiedsAbout Us |
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 (1 ratings submitted)
Wan Lobi Tori: Lesley and Anne (A Love Story)Country
Suriname
Programme SummaryCommunication StrategiesWan Lobi Tori was produced by Stichting Projekta for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The film served as a pilot to research the possibilities of using locally produced edutainment films in the fight against HIV in Suriname, and possibly the wider Caribbean. By including Guyana as part of the broadcast strategy, the producers sought to explore whether this kind of edutainment film can cross borders and serve as an information tool for the wider Caribbean. The 40-minute film uses the strategy of edutainment, showing how a young couple deal with the disapproval of their respective families over their relationship, an HIV positive diagnosis and how a family’s love and understanding can help a person live positively with HIV. Written and directed by Sharda Ganga, the movie is a result of an edutainment training exercise, partially assisted by the South African non-governmental organisation (NGO) Soul City. It concentrates on messages about stigma and discrimination, the spread of HIV, and the fact that young people can help. According to the final report, the edutainment strategy was very well received. Said one young viewer, "we are used to being very bored by films that are supposedly good for you. This film made clear that messages do not have to get in the way of a great story.” Many audience members expressed that they felt that high-quality edutainment films were possibly the best medium for extending the messages needed for HIV awareness, and that the use should extend to regular series on other life skills as well. The film was launched on December 1 2004 for World AIDS Day and was broadcast on television stations in Suriname and Guyana. Before the airing on television stations, special viewings were organised for the press and other stakeholders, such as NGOs. In Guyana, Projekta partnered with the Guyanese NGO A.I.D.S. (Artists in Direct Support), which is involved in peer education activities throughout the country, for scheduling the events in Guyana, organising the viewings and broadcast, and handling the publicity for the film. According to the final report, actors from the film, all students, have since had opportunities to speak and lead discussions amongst their peers. Development IssuesHIV/AIDS Key PointsAccording to the final report, viewers have stated that the storyline was one that they could identify with, and the discussions on various issues from sexuality to class differences showed the possibilities of the movie as an educational tool. "It seems there is a great need for appropriate and well-made edutainment materials in our societies, and an added value of the film was the fact that both the Surinamese and the Guyanese audiences started to realise their commonalities when addressing socio-economic and cultural issues." The final report also proposes possible follow-up activities: broader exposure of the film throughout the Caribbean; making the film available to classrooms and NGOs that wish to use the film for educational purposes; adding a short lesson brief or a teaching kit for use in classrooms and community discussions; and work on follow up series for the Caribbean. As of February 2007, the film has been broadcast in several other Caribbean countries, was and is still used in outreach programmes of various Caribbean NGOs, and Washington DC, United States-based youth groups. Viewings have been organised by international organisations such as the World Bank on World AIDS Day 2005 and 2006, and it has gone on to win two Caribbean Media Awards. PartnersStichting Projekta, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), with financial assistance from PAHO, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). ContactStichting Projekta
Wim van Aalststraat 15
Paramaribo
Suriname
Tel: 597 439925
Fax: 597 439924
SourceYouth HIV Action, No. 9, January 2005 [PDF] and Wan Lobi Tori report 2005 [PDF]; and email from Sharda Ganga to The Communication Initiative on April 5 2006 and February 27 2007. Placed on the Communication Initiative site February 04 2006 Last Updated March 24 2009 How useful did you find the knowledge and contacts on this page to your work? Post your comments (review comments from others below):COMMENTS POSTED |
Special FocusJournalist/Reader Connection
What are the best possibilities for journalist-readership connections? (you may choose more than one; please add clarifying comments)
|