It is estimated 20,000 to 40,000 children, as young as six years old, work in artisanal mining in Mali. It has long term repercussions: their health, well being and the future of the nation.The children are exposed to toxic mercury, which are released into rivers, ground water and lakes. They also work in sub standard and hazardous working conditions.
I’m Motar Menta, a young film maker and diligent activist against this phenomenon and I’m running right now an IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign with a differing set of goals and aims: firstly the film "The Malian Minors" seeks to bring the plight of these kids to the wider world and this once made will be screened at various film festivals. Then sponsorship of children ($2500) to get an education and a life away from the gold mines.
Support this activity to help thousands of children leave the gold fields.
Click here to make a donation Now : Crowdfunding Page
More infos: www.savechildminers.com
You can also help this sharing the word online wherever you can.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Mali, a country in West Africa is an area now with villages springing up full of people panning for gold or digging artisanal mines. The world's gold now has a good percentage sourced in this way, but in Mali, as many as 20,000 children as young as four are digging the mines with hand tools and then going down into treacherous conditions t great risk to themselves.
This they are doing to give themselves a chance at a proper life - schooling and a future. Hardly anyone on a consumer level realises or knows that their jewellery is being garnered in this manner and I write to tell you of a film being produced, with an associated campaign designed to bring this to the attention of the wider public.
Motar Menta, a young film maker and diligent activist against this phenomenon is on line on IndieGoGo with a crowd funding campaign with a differing set of goals and aims: firstly the film The Malian Minors seeks to bring the plight of these kids to the wider world and this once made will be screened at various film festivals. The cost of production, then distribution and theatrical screening is to be found. Then the matter of sponsorship for the children is being dealt with. For 2500 each child sponsored gets an education and a life away from the gold mines.
It is a matter of a life in a dangerous and toxic arena, or one of normality, education, fun and a future - something most of us have had and take for granted. These children need and want the same.
Save Child Miners - The Campaign Issue HERE
The Malian Minors - The Factual Documentary Film HERE
Above find the links to both the details of the film and of the wider campaign.
There are three ways in which you can help:
- Donate as either a business or personal entity - this is a matter of personal choice and if you look at the rewards based gifts in the IndieGoGo campaign you will find what is given in receipt of a donation
- Choose to be a partner of Save Child Miners - this will need a sponsorship relationship with the cause and the amount given will be rewarded with a continued association with this highly emotive and worthy cause
- Spread the word via blogging and among your networks. Share our Facebook page and Twitter for us, you would be helping in the communications if you included us in your websites, list of friends or causes you support.
