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The Valley Trust and InsightShare Participatory Video Project

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The Valley Trust, a centre for health promotion in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, collaborated with InsightShare, a United Kingdom (UK)/France-based organisation using participatory video (PV) as a tool for empowering individuals and communities, and the community of Inanda to use PV to draw attention to community development issues. One video focused on the lack of water in the community despite pipes being laid and was used as a lobbying tool, while others addressed issues such as alcohol and drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. Members of the community planned, directed, and filmed each of the short videos.
Communication Strategies

According to the organisers, PV gives participants a chance to learn how to use video equipment through games and exercises. Facilitators help groups identify and analyse important issues in their community by adapting a range of participatory tools with video techniques. Short videos and messages are directed and filmed by participants. Communities are involved to varying degrees in editing their films, but they always have full editorial control. The footage is then shared with the wider community at daily screenings. In this way, a process of community-led learning, sharing, and exchange is set in motion. Organisers say completed films can be used for horizontal and vertical communication.

The Inanda community in Kwazulu Natal filmed several videos during a 12-day training workshop. These videos included the following:

  • Waiting for Water: This film shows how PV is being used as a powerful lobbying tool. When water pipes were laid in the Tea Estate, Inanda, the residents were overjoyed that they would soon have access to clean water. However, when the water situation still does not improve, the community approaches a ward councilor, who promises to look into the matter. Click here to view a photostory that shows what happens next. Also, see below to watch the video on YouTube.
  • Introduction to Participatory Video: This film shows trainees involved in the capacity building training with the Valley Trust and Inanda Township community members. Click here to watch.
  • Inanda Youth Action: A group of young unemployed women explain how meeting regularly to sing has helped them, and gumboot dancers use their skills to highlight issues facing their community. Click here to watch.
  • Drugs and Alcohol: Youth in Inanda township speak freely about why they smoke drugs and drink alcohol. They were interviewed by other community members, which gave them the chance to tell their story in their own words and try to break some of the stereotypes they faced. Other community members spoke about the links between alcohol and drug use and HIV infection. Click here to watch.
  • HIV - A Personal Story: A young woman uses participatory video to tell her own story about how she was infected with HIV. She wanted to hide her identity but wanted others to hear this story. Click here to watch.
  • Sidlasonke (We Eat Together) - A short film made about a local feeding scheme in Inanda township - embodying hope and self-help. Click here to watch.

This capacity building programme has also indirectly led to the creation of a community-run media hub in Inanda township called Insight eThekweni, part of a network of global PV hubs supported by InsightShare. Long-term PV projects are now in place, and community members are earning money through the PV hub activities and continuing to make positive local change. A recent film led to the road being tarred, toilets being installed, and standpipes becoming operational.

Development Issues

Water and Sanitation, HIV/AIDS, Economic Development.

Partners

The Valley Trust, InsightShare, and the community of Inanda.

Sources

Valley Trust website on October 8 2009; InsightShare website, accessed on October 8 2009 and July 22 2010.

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