Our Story

Filmmaker Konda Mason and photographer/cinematographer Angela Sevin, in cooperation with 10,000 Girls project, traveled to Senegal and worked with a group of young women for 4 weeks in January/February 2011, producing film and media, and documenting the story of 10,000 Girls.

In many areas of rural Senegal, West Africa, most girls are encouraged to stay at home and work to support their brothers as they get an education.  An education in most of Africa costs a high percentage of the total family income.  They must pay for all school supplies, uniforms and fees.  Consequently, if the family can afford it, resources are spent on the boys rather than the girls.

Facing a future of menial labor and early marriage, a young girl by the name of Mame Guede, at the age of nine, took matters into her own hands by finding a woman who was willing to teach her as long as she could pay for her school supplies.  That person was Viola Vaughn, an African American woman from Detroit, living in Senegal.  With an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for learning, Mame Guede and the group of girls who joined her, found resources and started businesses to enable themselves and other young girls to fulfill their dream of an education and a thriving future.  Having educated thousands of girls through the collaborative system of supporting and empowering each other financially and emotionally, a goal of educating 10,000 GIRLS is becoming a reality.

The 10,000 Girls documentary film project (now in post production) will tell the story of the self-reliant young women who have created self-sustaining income generating programs in order to educate themselves and other young girls.  In addition to showing an overview of the 10,000 Girls project, the film will profile 3-5 of the girls whose compelling stories will highlight the 3 central entrepreneurial initiatives created by the girls.

The Impact

In the 2000 UN Millennium Declaration, 191 governments around the world agreed to promote the empowerment of women as an effective way to combat poverty, hunger and disease and to stimulate environmental sustainability."   By telling the story of 10,000 Girls, we will highlight the inspiring resiliency of young women around the world. We will show how educated girls are an essential part of a thriving, just, and sustainable future on our planet.

What We Need & What You Get

The money raised will go toward additional equipment, production, and post production costs. 10,000 Girls project was able to raise a modest amount of funds to get us started.  If in your spirit of giving, we receive any funds raised beyond our goal we will use them to pay off post-production IOUs.  With your help and sponsorship of our project, you could meet Viola Vaughn, a 2008 CNN Hero award winner, receive unique arts and crafts made by the Senegalese women and girls in support of 10,000 Girls, receive a high quality print from award winning photographer, Angela Sevin, or get your name in the credits of the film.

Other Ways You Can Help

Please share this project with everyone you know! Please take advantage of the share tools on this page - add a link on your Facebook, Linked In, and/or Twitter.

THANK YOU!!

No amount is too small! Even $10 will get us closer to our goal.  Thank You!