Not About Me: Ready for Impact!

WATCH. TALK. TAKE ACTION…

Hi. I’m Kelly Milner, director of Not About Me

Stories matter. That’s what I believe. And sometimes you find a special story that inspires you to do more than watch. It makes you want to listen, learn and reconsider your own role in influencing other people’s lives.

Today, we’re excited to share our social impact campaign for schools, community groups and all individuals who are passionate about championing children’s rights and promoting #InformedGenerosity — at home and abroad.

Despite good intentions, many people are often unaware about the reality of international orphanages and how our domestic support for them (through donations and volunteering) actually harms children.

Our campaign aims to start conversations that create awareness about the issues and encourage people to redirect their generosity towards more sustainable, locally-led programs that address the root causes of family separation instead of institutionalizing children in orphanages.

Learn more about the impact campaign
https://www.notaboutmefilm.com/impact-overview

Screening Guides for Classrooms & Communities

We’ve worked with educators, child rights advocates, community activists and policy-makers to develop thought-provoking companion kits for the documentary. After watching the film, teachers and screening hosts can use the guides as a framework to reflect on the issues with questions and tools that cover the following themes:

#KnowBeforeYouGo

Volunteering overseas

#ChildrenBelongInFamilies

Advocating for children’s rights around the world

#ReframeHistory

Rethinking history, power and privilege

#InformedGenerosity

Shifting behaviours and policies

Learn more about the Study Guides

https://www.notaboutmefilm.com/impact-education

What are Students & Communities Saying?

Our audience engagement surveys give us some insight on how people are responding to the film’s messages. There is a short pre-viewing survey (1 minute) and post-viewing “reflection” questions (10 minutes) that teachers and screening hosts can share with their groups.

The responses we received from student and community focus groups remind us why we’re passionate about sharing this impact campaign and how discussions around the film CAN shift mentalities and behaviours.

View the student focus group highlights

Learn more about the surveys
https://www.notaboutmefilm.com/impact/surveys

An Invitation for Educators…

JOIN THE FILMMAKERS FOR A 45 MIN ONLINE SESSION

February 22, 2022

Who: Teachers / instructors / professors who focus on international development and social justice issues in Canada and the USA.

Details: A short presentation about the Not About Me documentary and Study Guide with insights on how students have responded so far. You’ll also get a chance to meet Morgan Wienberg, the subject of the film, and ask her questions.

Link to watch the film: When you register, you will get an invite-only link to watch the film 72 hours in advance. Run time: 1 hour 34 minutes with an option to watch in four Chapters (about 20 minutes each)

Register for the free event: There are two time slots available.

>12:30pm PT/3:30 ET https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/253382543007

>3:30pm PT/6:30pm ET https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/254792510257

Take Action!

Our impact campaign has several awareness and advocacy initiatives that invite Canadians to engage their communities and government on child right’s issues.

The campaign is currently focused on getting people to sign a Parliamentary petition to ask the Canadian government to formally advise against orphanage volunteering. Please consider adding your signature to get the petition tabled in the House of Commons.

We are calling on individuals, students, non-profits, community organizations, inter-faith groups and businesses to help us take action to end orphanage volunteering and tourism. All Canadians can sign. The petition is open now. The deadline is April 21, 2022.

Learn more about the petition

https://www.notaboutmefilm.com/impact-petition-canada

Change Starts at Home…

We’re grateful to Morgan Wienberg, Little Footprints Big Steps and everyone in Haiti who allowed us to have a window on their world. Their stories challenge us to question our assumptions, check our privilege and listen to the people we’re trying to help.

We hope Not About Me and our impact campaign helps us learn from their experiences and motivates us to support international development work that helps keep families together.

Share awareness
Please consider forwarding this email to others in your networks who are interested in children’s rights and social justice issues.

Take a tour of our impact website
https://www.notaboutmefilm.com/impact-overview

Follow our story and progress
https://www.instagram.com/notaboutmefilm/
https://www.facebook.com/notaboutmefilm