I Felt Courage 1:44

She Calls Herself Director :55

My Name is Runyararo 1:16

The Color Blue 2:06

Tapestries of Hope is a feature-length documentary that reveals the story of human rights activist Betty Makoni and the Girl Child Network (GCN) in Zimbabwe, Africa. The documentary exposes the myth behind the belief that raping a virgin cures a man of HIV/AIDS. The film is co-written and directed by award winning filmmaker, Michealene Cristini Risley, co-written and produced by Susan Black, and also produced by Christopher Bankston, Anand Chandrasekaran, and Ray Arthur Wang.

Plot
Director Michealene Cristini Risley travelled to Zimbabwe to explore the rape and AIDS crisis in the country. She had previously befriended Betty Makoni, a born and raised Zimbabwean, and got to know about Makoni's organization, The Girl Child Network, which aims to re-empower abused kids and provides a network of protection for these girls.

The stories were told by the girls of Zimbabwe and Makoni was the main cast for this film. Throughout the film, Makoni helps these girls to become re-empowered and find their voice. Part of healing process for girls is about speaking out about the crimes committed agains them. During filming Risley and her assistant were arrested and incarcerated . The film was also seized by the Zimbabwean Intelligence Office (C.I.O). However, the team managed to retrieve the footage before being deported from Zimbabwe. http://www.voanews.com

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -ALONG THE WAY- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tapestries of Hope: Director Michealene Cristini Risley on the Tenacity and Optimism of Zimbabwe's Rape Survivors.
The most striking element of the new documentary Tapestries of Hope is not the hell that the young rape survivors profiled have lived through, but their unbreakable spirit. The film is a vibrant international call to action and a breathtaking portrait of hope in the face of overwhelming odds.
-read more-
 

Compassion, Courage and Hope: Creating Peace in the New Year
Podcast of Zimbabwean child and women's rights activist, Betty Makoni. -view-
 

BIG THANK YOU!
This movie could not have been made without so many people who volunteered their time and their expertise. WOW! From the deepest reserves of my heart, I thank you. This movie is a gift to the world to help change how we deal with Violence against Women and kids. Thank you for the GIFTS you gave to make this happen.