Have you ever wondered what Orant means? It’s not just a funny word - it has a deeper meaning that we’re telling you about this week in the blog. Read more about it here and learn where we got our name and why we are grateful for you, our readers, donors, and supporters, this week and always.
Yankho
A Virtual Reality Film from the Warm Heart of Africa
In 2022, Orant wrote, produced, and filmed its first ever Virtual Reality film. In Yankho, a Malawian mother’s dreams for her daughter are altered by the challenges of rural poverty.
In January 2023, we were featured in the Denton Black Film Festival. People from all over Texas and North America got to experience Yankho – and Malawi itself – in virtual reality. A big thank you to DBFF for such a great time!
We were also featured in the Denton Record-Chronicle. Click here to read it!
Why virtual reality?
While Orant is based in Malawi, its supporters are global.
Our decision to work with 360 degree, virtual reality film was based on its storytelling capacity. Nothing immerses you quite like VR. You are surrounded by the sights and sounds of the story. With Yankho, we wanted to transport the viewer into our community and show them firsthand what life is like for the people we serve in Malawi.
Who was involved in the film?
Like all of Orant’s work, Yankho was created in collaboration. Orant’s US staff worked with Praise Padambo, Orant’s Malawian Marketing Officer, to write the script and produce the film. Praise cast the acting team with members from Orant’s community. They are both the staff behind our programs and the beneficiaries of them.
Colletar, who played the role of Nankhoma, says, “For me, it has not been acting as much as living my daily life.”
Is the film documentary or fiction?
Docu-fiction! The story of Yankho is fictionalized based on the real lives of Malawian women. But the setting is straight from reality. Matchondo village in the film is Matchondo village in real life. Colettar invited us to use her home for the scenes in the village. The well is the well she uses daily. The women at the well are not actors, just humans, collecting water before sunrise as they do every day.
How can someone watch Yankho?
We are currently still in the film festival circuit and applying for international festivals! Check back soon for a way to watch Yankho online.
Share on:
The Orant Journal
Malawian culture has always been known as a treasure trove of wisdom, and proverbs being an integral part of our rich heritage. These timeless sayings have been passed on through generations, offering guidance, direction, and warnings that shape our values, beliefs, and daily lives. In our upcoming blog series, we will delve into the world of Malawian proverbs, exploring their meanings, contexts and significance. Read today's blog post which serves as an introduction to our journey.
Read today’s blog about the children’s book, “As Big as the Sky”, a Malawian story about a brother and sister whose love for each other is as big as the sky.
“Orant respectfully serves and collaborates with our community in a sustainable way.”
Ever wondered why we always mention village chiefs and their involvement in Orant’s work? If yes, then today’s blog article is for you! In this article, we talk to Village Head of Kasese Village in Dowa, who tells us about her duties and why her involvement with Orant is important. Read today's blog article to learn more.
Recently, we read The End of Plenty by Joel K. Bourne Jr. An honest and sometimes scathing review of the Green Revolution, this book covers how monoculture crops have led to worsening hunger across the world. As the planet warms, the need is ever more urgent for us to find a solution to humanity’s desperate need to feed 9 billion people.
As we have discussed in some of our past blogs, Malawi Vision 2063 has three key pillars that guide the focus of the Vision. These three pillars are meant to build on each other to create the inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation that they envision. In this blog, we will look at the third pillar of MW2063: Urbanisation.
Whether you are planning an African trip or just curious about the things we love about Malawi, read today’s blog to see the best things to do in Malawi!
Holidays are here again and we are so excited! Most of our team is taking time off with their families and loved ones, so please enjoy this blog while we are away. Celebrate the holidays with us the Malawian way!
Introducing you to the culture of Malawi through a series of articles! The culture of Malawi is strong in spirituality and most people are active in religious groups. We’ll tell you about Malawi’s main religions and the people who practice them. Read on for more.