ONE has partnered with “We Are Together (Thina Simunye)”, a moving documentary centered on 12-year old Slindile and her life in an orphanage called Agape in South Africa. The film, produced by British filmmakers Paul Taylor and Teddy Leifer, is being featured as part of DocuWeek in Los Angeles, and was chosen as one of seventeen outstanding documentaries out of hundreds of films submitted. Presented by the International Documentary Association (IDA), DocuWeek is a public theatrical exhibition and is the official qualifying festival for the Academy Awards. The ONE Campaign has been given the opportunity to share a table with DocuWeek, and with the help of some stellar volunteers, we have worked together to create greater awareness around the partnership of ONE and “We Are Together (Thina Simunye)”.

“We Are Together (Thina Simunye)” is an inspiring tale depicting the triumphs overcome by a group of orphans of all ages surrounded by the reality of AIDS and extreme poverty, and illustrates how the music sung by the children helps to lift them out of hardship. All proceeds from the film and CD sales go to the Agape Orphanage in South Africa. Learn more information about “We Are Together (Thina Simunye)” and read Slindile’s and some of the other orphans’ blogs here.

“We Are Together (Thina Simunye)” will continue to run twice daily throughout DocuWeek in Los Angeles up until Thursday, August 23. Special thanks goes out to Teddy Leifer, producer of “We Are Together (Thina Simunye)”, who was a pleasure to work with over the weekend. Also, to Tracie Lewis from the International Documentary Association, and David Magdael and Anne Stulz, publicists for the film, for their obvious show of support for ONE.

-Stephanie Handler, ONE Regional Organizer