Fund Raising Film Night for Orphanage in India

Fund Raising Film Night for Orphanage in India
Wednesday April 7, The Hollywood Cinema, Avondale.

A film from acclaimed Auckland-based screenwriter Shuchi Kothari is to form the centrepiece of fundraising efforts for an Indian girls orphanage in April.

Firaaq, the latest award-winning film from Kothari who also co-wrote the critically applauded Apron Strings, will screen as part of an event to raise funds to house and educate destitute Indian children at Akaash Ganga, an orphanage in the province of Gujarat, India.

The 7 April event, at Hollywood Cinema, will also feature an auction of original artworks from Bro Town and Auckland artist Flox of Cut Collective, put under the hammer by guest auctioner and local actress/comedian Madelaine Sami.

The orphanage has a strong Kiwi connection, with Kothari a lifelong friend of orphanage leader Dhanraj Malik. And the initial stories for the film – which includes a haunting story about an orphaned child – were debated by Kothari, and the renowned Indian actress and director of Firaaq Nandita Das, while staying at the safari camp (also run by Malik) near the orphanage. The film tells the story of the 2002 riots which took place in Gujarat . Firaaq has won 14 international film awards since its film festival release last year.

Kothari says organisations like Malik’s are desperately needed. “The kind of work he has done for destitute children through Akaash Ganga reaffirms my faith in humanity, especially in the face of communal violence that often marks Gujarat’s history.”

“I visit India every year, and each time I go to Akaash Gaanga, not just to visit a dear friend, but because the love I get given by the children is a deeply humbling experience,” Kothari says.

The orphanage, www.akaashganga.org, is the home of 30 abandoned children from 5-16 years old and was opened to respond to the hostile conditions of salt workers in the area of Gujarat who live below the poverty line, work 18 hour days and eat only one chapatti a day. The orphanage could house up to 80 children but lack of funds means children are being turned away almost daily.

At a cost of $NZ1.50 a day per child, Akaash Ganga offers a stable living environment, food and education to abandoned local children, who have all experienced some sort of trauma, the death of a brother or sister or parental suicide. One girl was sold to pay a family debt, another 10 year old girl with cerebal palsy was sold to an old women to be her cook and cleaner. But these children have a chance of a better life now. At Akaash Ganga they are taught trades such as sewing, and repairing mobile phones and computers.
Cathy Pope, fundraising coordinator, says all profits from the Hollywood Cinema night will go to the orphanage. After visiting the orphanage in January this year, Cathy was inspired to help ensure more children got a better chance of a future.

“When I saw how happy these children were after having such a difficult start to their lives, I felt inspired to do something to help. Teaching a sewing class and seeing how enthusiastic and thirsty they were for knowledge was the most rewarding part of my trip to India.”
Tickets to the film night and auction cost $25 and are available at www.cathypope.co.nz All tickets also go in the draw to win a gift basket including cosmetics, Trade Aid products, an aromatherapy massage, and dinner at Little India restaurant.

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