We joined the "Insight Malaria" film project in Kenya

Dennis - film student from Kampala, Uganda
"It is the most exciting film venture I have ever participated in ever since I joined the filmmaking career. It was a new experience working together with students from different parts of the world, and with different educational backgrounds. This project united us as a family and we have remained a family."

Laura - student form Germany, Cologne
"It was incredible and exciting to speak directly with the people in Malindi and to get to know the background and facts about Malaria and why Malaria is such a big problem in Africa, especially in Kenya. The topic of my team was 'superstition and images about malaria'. It was a very interesting topic and we could discover a lot of untold facts and misbeliefs. I enjoyed the work in an international group very much. I was highly impressed that we - all people with the most different abilities and national backgrounds - worked together very well."

Marta - student from Italy
"Before travelling to Kenya I was more excited than worried. My mind was full of questions waiting for an answer. I was like a thirsty girl that could never be quenched. I had my camera, a notebook and all my curiosity when I started one of the best experiences in my life. I suppose that the international team we were was the secret of the success of our work. In fact, the African guys, who were more experienced in filming, helped me a lot in doing the work and also helped me to better understand the reasons of the problems of their country. To find  and understand a reason for poverty, the diseases, and the fact that every 30 seconds a baby dies from malaria was very hard to me. “Where is the government? Where is Europe? Where is the Church?” I was asking myself. I still do not have answers, but I'm sure that we should do something. I think that American and European people have to become conscious about the situation, because the worst thing is to be indifferent to other people. It is the time to take action and push for a change."

Amos - student of Kibera Film School in Nairobi, Kenya
"What really impressed me most, is the team work from the crew and all the participants. I personally discovered through the process that many people in Kenya lack knowledge about Malaria and how it is spread. The poor people are the ones who are most affected by Malaria since they cannot afford to purchase a mosquito net. There are still some communities in Africa that still believe in myths: like malaria comes from mangoes, having a cold, being rained on and so many more. Unfortunately, just a few people go to hospital for medical atention, since they believe in herbal medicine from the medicine men."

Zuriñe - student from Spain.
"It was very enriching to be in Kenya and to do this documentary. I felt privileged to be part of this tour to witness the life of the people. I spoke with sick people, doctors, and pharmacists. I saw how they live in rural areas with very little but always smiling. We also met professional people who work hard against the plight of malaria. I have learned a lot on this travel. The most important thing that happened was that I discovered the complexity of malaria. We have to bear in mind many things, like their culture and beliefs because this has a lot of influence on how they see this illness. Also, we have to consider their history and way of life."

Justyna - student from Poland
"It was my third project in Africa, but it was the first in such a big and international team. What impressed me the most was how young people from different countries enthusiastically worked together for the project! All of the participants were so engaged in the project. So we spent long days in local health-centers to hold interviews with the stuff and patients. We visited villages to see the problems people in Africa are facing every day. We were very surprised in how many different ways a mosquito-net can be used and non of them was in a proper way! The project´s aim was to get to know how huge the problems concerning malaria are in Africa and to capture it on camera. I'm sure that the movie and all the participants will play a huge role in rising more awareness about malaria."

Molly - film student from Kampala, Uganda
"During our research I discovered that people in Malindi really need help from either the government or any other organization which is willing to help. This is because people are really suffering since that the majority in Malindi can not afford to buy mosquito nets or medicine for themselves. They move long distances to go to the hospitals, some time they find no medicine and even doctors are not always available. This means the patient will have to go back and come back next time which leads to a high death rate in the area. All togehther it was very interesting for me because I learnt a lot of new things. The whole team was so cooperative, I felt as if we are all coming from the same place."

Wilfred - student from Kibera Film School Nairobi, Kenya
"The film for Stop Malaria Now was a great experience and also time to raise awareness to those who do not know about the existence of Malaria in Africa. I learnt a lot from the residents of Mtangani Village in Malindi. I also learnt that the majority of the people from Malindi do not believe in hospital medications but they have their own way of treating themselves when one has malaria. I also realized that the beliefs and culture are widely practiced in Malindi and this can cause a wide spreading of malaria if people do not raise awareness about this disease.
The most impressing part is that all of the participants from different countries  interacted in a respective manner that no one could tell if this was the first time we had met. The combination
between Africans and Europeans during the shoot was like a learning process since we had
professional cameras and sound equipment that none of us had used before."

Indi - student from Germany, Münster
"I have seen how people in Kenya are threatened by Malaria day by day. But it has impressed me most, that they are still fighting Malaria, even though they just own a few basic things. But I have also noticed that many people have their doubts towards "new medicine".

Arianna - student from Italy
"It was such a beautiful experience! Full of emotions and  meetings… a particular occasion to discover a different culture and a different “world” being in contact with local people, doing a very interesting and importing project.  The unique personalities and abilities of the participants also  enhanced  the power of this experience. Thanks a lot to the organizers to have given me this opportunity."