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Four Films to Change the World - July 28, 2022
Four Films to Change the World is a fantastic event organised by our lovely trustee and filmmaker Carolina Graterol to raise money for Desert Voicebox!
This special screening of four films made by students from the 2021 Documentary Film Masters at London College of Communication will include stories from Turkey, Sudan, Pakistan and Western Sahara.
Each film lasts around 20 min, but the stories embedded in each will make you reflect and perhaps consider ways to take actions to make our world a better place to live.
After the screenings, there will be a short Q&A with the filmmakers.
When: Thurs July 28, 7-10:30pm
Where: Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way London W1T 5DL
Limited tickets available, get yours now!
This special screening of four films made by students from the 2021 Documentary Film Masters at London College of Communication will include stories from Turkey, Sudan, Pakistan and Western Sahara.
Each film lasts around 20 min, but the stories embedded in each will make you reflect and perhaps consider ways to take actions to make our world a better place to live.
After the screenings, there will be a short Q&A with the filmmakers.
When: Thurs July 28, 7-10:30pm
Where: Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way London W1T 5DL
Limited tickets available, get yours now!
London-based Sandblast charity seeks to raise awareness of the Saharawi refugee plight in SW Algeria and build support for their self-determination cause. Through education, arts and skills development projects, Sandblast equips the refugees, especially youth and women, to become self-reliant and able to reach audiences more widely to tell their story, promote their culture and advocate for their rights.
Our ongoing core project is Desert Voicebox, providing English and music education to over 60 Saharawi refugee children in an after school programme. It spans 4 years of primary school and trains local women to teach and run the programme.
An invisible story
“ What is it to be a refugee? Who are we? We know we are Saharawis, but only we know. The world does not know we exist. Being a refugee is like being outside this world" (Fatimetu Shagaf, born in the refugee camps, teaches Spanish to women )
The Saharawis are indigenous to Western Sahara, an ex-Spanish colony in NW Africa, which is officially considered Africa's last colony. In 1975, instead of fulfilling their independence aspirations as Spain withdrew, their homeland was forcefully annexed by neighbouring Morocco, which claimed the territory as its own. (This claim was rejected by International Court of Justice ruling of Oct 16 1975). The Moroccan invasion and occupation not only led to armed conflict between the Polisario front-the Saharawi national liberation movement and the Moroccan army but also resulted in the mass displacement of the Saharawi civilian population, who became refugees in the desert region around Tindouf, in SW Algeria.
Today, a third generation of Saharawi refugee children are growing up with few prospects of a better life. According to the latest UNHCR 2018 report, over 170,000 Saharawis live in 5 large refugee camps, 80% being women and children. Aid dependent for their survival needs, they endure harsh living and weather conditions and a lack of opportunities to develop and be heard.
“ What is it to be a refugee? Who are we? We know we are Saharawis, but only we know. The world does not know we exist. Being a refugee is like being outside this world" (Fatimetu Shagaf, born in the refugee camps, teaches Spanish to women )
The Saharawis are indigenous to Western Sahara, an ex-Spanish colony in NW Africa, which is officially considered Africa's last colony. In 1975, instead of fulfilling their independence aspirations as Spain withdrew, their homeland was forcefully annexed by neighbouring Morocco, which claimed the territory as its own. (This claim was rejected by International Court of Justice ruling of Oct 16 1975). The Moroccan invasion and occupation not only led to armed conflict between the Polisario front-the Saharawi national liberation movement and the Moroccan army but also resulted in the mass displacement of the Saharawi civilian population, who became refugees in the desert region around Tindouf, in SW Algeria.
Today, a third generation of Saharawi refugee children are growing up with few prospects of a better life. According to the latest UNHCR 2018 report, over 170,000 Saharawis live in 5 large refugee camps, 80% being women and children. Aid dependent for their survival needs, they endure harsh living and weather conditions and a lack of opportunities to develop and be heard.
