[Pen-l] We are Together

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Although I will have some critical comments to make about the mindset 
that went into the making of the documentary "We Are Together", I 
strongly urge New Yorkers to see this totally affecting documentary 
about an orphanage in South Africa made up of children who have lost 
parents to the AIDS epidemic. In order to cope with their losses and 
also to connect to the outside world, they take part in traditional 
choral singing of the kind that Ladysmith Black Mambazo made famous.

The children live at the Agape orphanage, which was founded by Gogo 
"Grandma" Zodwa. When she was working as an HIV counselor, she found 
that many of her clients were worried about what would happen to 
their children when they were gone. So she established Agape to look 
after these children.

One of these children, a featured singer in the chorus, is a 12 year 
old girl named Slindile Moya who is really the star of the movie. 
With a smile that lights up the entire screen when she is on camera, 
you marvel at her ability to endure such a hard life. Not only has 
she lost both parents, her brother is sick with AIDS and dies during 
the movie. During the burial ceremony, Slindile and her siblings, 
both those living with her at the orphanage and those old enough to 
look after themselves, console each other with a beautiful hymn about 
the eternal life to come. Until every human being lives in a world 
free from poverty and horrible diseases like AIDS, it is 
understandable that religion will continue to provide solace against 
a heartless world.

full: http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/we-are-together/

_______________________________________________
pen-l mailing list
pen-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l