Set in Masihumemele, the film revisits the experiences of young women recounting personal stories of teenage pregnancy, stigma, rape, and HIV. Explored through endured hardships, the project underscores the weight of resilience, compassiopn, and the challenging of societal taboos.
The documentary was shot and edited by Mbali Lupondo (15), Iyanda Mbunjelwa (16) and Oratile Libe (16), three high school learners from Masiphumelele in Cape Town as part of the Eh!woza Learner Doccies programme.
During a set of blended workshops, the programme combined exposure to biomedical research with storytelling that raise awareness and stimulate dialogue about health and disease. Learners were recruited from the Masiphumelele branch of IkamvaYouth and participated in an intensive workshop that consists of science engagement (experiments and talks) and the production of short documentaries about experiences of health and disease and associated social concerns. Workshops were held at the Aerobiology Research Centre at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation’s Masiphumelele site.
Learners conceptualised, shot and edited the films under the tuition and guidance of Eh!woza filmmakers Samuel Flans and Alfa Fipaza.