Warsaw, November 19 – The spotlight was on the stage of the Don Bosco Theater in Warsaw, where the tenth edition of the Harambee International Award 'Communicating Africa' took place, an initiative celebrating documentaries that convey hope, strength, and resilience from the African continent.

The event was hosted by the Harambee Poland Committee, driven by a group of young volunteers committed to serving others. "We want to show the beauty of this continent and its needs. It's a challenging task, but these are challenges that the youth can overcome," said Heros David Musial, coordinator of the Polish group and promoter of volunteer camps in Africa, emphasizing the importance of direct aid and building relationships with local communities.

Among the guests, Gerald Schank, winner in the category "Professional Individual Audiovisuals," shared his reflections on his documentary "MathMoms - Where Children Come to Learn," set in South Africa. The film highlights how maternal love and community initiatives can create safer and more stimulating learning environments, offering hope and transformation possibilities for future communities.

In his acceptance speech, Schank reflected on the distorted perception of developing countries, often limited by prejudice: "We should try to observe, feel, and discover without judging, to grasp the essential aspects that we often overlook."

Harambee's commitment to promoting a deeper understanding of Africa and overcoming stereotypes was a central theme of the evening, with Schank praising the organization for its crucial role in spreading accurate knowledge of Africa: "Harambee not only assists people in African countries but also enriches everyone involved in this global solidarity mission."

The ceremony also included exciting moments of international recognition, with a video message from Pedro Fernandez Quiroga, author of "The Strength of the Unseen: Sierra Leone, The Right to Dream," a poignant depiction of the population's resilience post-conflict.

The Argentine director expressed his gratitude to Harambee for the opportunity to showcase stories reflecting hope and resilience.

Lornah Hope Apiyo, winner in the youth section with "The Heartbeat of Budaka," expressed gratitude for the support to local talent, highlighting how personal commitment can promote progress despite poverty.

Young Poles Wiktor Karbowiak and Maciej Pieczykolan, authors of "Playground," which received special mention for its authentic representation of volunteerism and community collaboration, also participated.

The event also featured the Polish translation of the book "Ebony Women" by Raquel Rodriguez De Bujalance, collecting extraordinary stories of African women serving the progress of female empowerment.

Every story and every film shown provided the audience with an engaging and authentic slice of African realities, significantly contributing to overcoming stereotypes and fostering the growth of a culture of coexistence and complementarity, perfectly aligned with the Award's objectives.

Watch the winning documentary videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/HarambeeAfrica