Everyone is invited to view ‘Girl Rising’

By Jessie Moniz Hardy

One girl with courage is a revolution. That is the message behind the powerful documentary “Girl Rising” being shown on Friday by the Business and Professional Women’s Association of Bermuda (BPW Bermuda).

The documentary was made by Academy Award-nominated director Richard E Robbins.

Girl Rising tells the story of nine girls living in developing countries around the world who have to overcome tremendous odds to access an education.

Prize-winning authors put the girls’ remarkable stories into words, and renowned actors give them voice.

For example, one of the girls in the film, Sokha, lives in a Cambodian dump.

She is orphaned and forced to pick through garbage to survive.

But, through a series of miracles, Sokha finds her way to school and, like a phoenix, rises to become a star student on the brink of a brilliant and once unimaginable future.

Her story is told by Cambodian writer Loung Ung.

Highly acclaimed Haitian writer Edwidge Danticat tells the story of Wadley of Haiti.

The little girl is just seven years old when her world comes crashing down around her.

After her home and school were destroyed by an earthquake she is desperate to learn, but she is turned away from the schoolhouse day after day.

“This film is a powerful documentary on the power of educating girls and the impact it has on the community and the world,” said BPW President Katie Partington Howarth. “The ethos of our organisation is to empower women.

“The value of educating women cannot be underestimated for we know that educated women are more likely to stand up for their rights and break the cycle of poverty for generations below them.

“On Friday we are inviting all to come to this viewing to stimulate conversation and be empowered.”

After the screening there will be a candle-lighting ceremony that will allow attendees to participate in honouring the BPW Bermuda’s sister clubs all over the world.

“This promises to be a truly moving experience,” said Ms Partington Howarth.

BPW Bermuda was due to have the candle-lighting ceremony on 8 March 2014; however due to unforeseen circumstances the ceremony was rescheduled and it will now take place at the screening.

The documentary will be shown on Friday at 6.15pm at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) in the Tradewinds Auditorium.

Tickets are $15 or $270 for groups of 15 or more. Tickets can be purchased from the Orchid Nail Spa on Par-la-Ville Road.

For more information on the documentary or to RSVP, please e-mail: bpwabermuda@yahoo.com.

For the official trailer www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsvklXhYaE or see girlrising.com/see-the-film/about-the-film/