OneMinutesJr video workshop in Papua New Guinea - Day 4

--Two days remain at this exciting OneMinutesJr workshop in Port Moresby. Not "two days" but "two years" is the title of the first film that is completely finished. Paul's film about his two-year prison sentence is filmed, edited and already has its voice-over.

But there are still four participants who have not started with their films and so we are out with the cameras again today. Sindy (16) is first with her film about a girl who does not do what her mother tells her to do. The argument ends with the mother beating the girl and chasing her out of the house. The girl flees to her best friend, but the mother in the end finds her and apologizes.

In the afternoon, we are off to two different settlements on the outskirts of the capital Port Moresby. Ephraim's secondary school is near the first settlements and the little children from around there always exchange empty plastic bottles for biscuits in his school So Ephraim wants to use this opportunity to tell the world more about the lives of these underprivileged children who live in the streets near his school.

Next is Junior (17) and his story about alcohol abuse in his neighborhood. We are out in the streets filming a scene at a local store when more and more people, children and adults, gather to watch the filming. They are all very interested in what is going on, ask questions and make comments and give suggestions. When Paul (17) gives the final "action" sign and Wesley (14) pushes the record button for the last time, there are at least 100 people out to witness the film-making process in Kila Kila village.

Before the sun sets, Louisah (14) is the last participant to finish her film. She has told us that at one point she considered committing suicide because her parents are always fighting. But fortunately she did not go all the way and reconsidered her decision. She is a happier girl now, and with her film she wants to make a stand against teenage suicide and give others new hope.

Port Moresby, PNG - November 19, 2009 - Chris Schuepp