Nigeria: Behavioral Change – Media Workshop

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September 3 – 15, 2008
Lagos, Nigeria
Additional cost (contact Chandler)
Must be organized by student
$2,395.00 USD
Barefoot Alumni: 8% discount
$500.00
Deposit is non-refundable. Deposit must be in by July 15th, 2008. Balance due by August 10th, 2008
Chandler Griffin

Chandler Griffin (general info)
chandler@barefootworkshops.org or
Brooke Bassin (payment options)
brooke.bassin@barefootworkshops.org

Population: 124,009,000 (2003 estimate by UN)
Capital: Abuja -379,000
Formal Capital: Lagos - 5,500,000
Area: 923,770 sq km (356,668 sq. miles)
Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani
Religions: Muslim - 50%, Christian - 40%, indigenous beliefs - 10%
Life expectancy: 51 years (men), 51 years (women)
People: Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Ibo, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv
Main exports: Petroleum & petroleum products - 95%, cocoa, rubber

COMBATING HIV WITH MEDIA FOR NGOS

FACT: Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. With an estimated 135,031,164 inhabitants (source: CIA's World Fact Book), approximately one in four Africans is Nigerian, while almost half of the population is under 15 years of age. The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS at 3.9%, while by no means the highest in Africa, implies that 2.9 million Nigerians are living with HIV. This is the largest number in the world after South Africa. According to PEPFAR, only 92,000 Nigerians are presently receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ARV). Nigeria hosts 930,000 orphans. With such a young and vulnerable population, the manner in which AIDS is addressed will be a deciding factor in Nigeria's future.

SOLUTION: Many grassroots NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in Nigeria are battling HIV/AIDS and making a difference through innovative practices, yet many have yet to discover the positive power of media to help them meet their goals—especially when it comes to influencing the hearts and minds of young people. In this intensive, two-week workshop based in Lagos, Nigeria, Barefoot Workshops will assist these NGOs to increase their effectiveness by producing videos that will enhance HIV/AIDS outreach, education, treatment, and care.

What is an NGO?
The World Bank defines NGOs as "private organizations that pursueactivities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development" (Operational Directive 14.70). In a wider usage, the term NGO can be applied to any non-profit organization which is independent from government. NGOs are typically value-based organizations which depend, in whole or in part, on charitable donations and voluntary service. Although the NGO sector has become increasingly professionalized over the last two decades, principles of altruism and voluntarism remain key defining characteristics.

WORKSHOP STRUCTURE:
International students (any person not from Nigeria) will work with local organizations, Youth Against Crime & HIV/AIDS, and Hope 4 Aids Outreach, among others, to receive video training together and will be expected to assist NGO staff with the pre-production, production and post-production of Behavioral Change Dramas as well as create their own media portfolios, which can vary from documentary to promotional to drama. International students are also encouraged to explore the still image as well and incorporate the medium into their videos if they choose.

The workshop is intended to do a number of things:
1. Give international students a unique and intensive experience in the art of documentary storytelling, and the use of video to affect social change.
2. Offer a hands-on opportunity for international students to collaborate with local NGO’s and government agencies.
3. Support NGOs in Nigeria to use video as a constructive tool in their communities, to open new pathways for how media can spread solutions that curb HIV/AIDS.

COURSE STRUCTURE
Week 1:
• Review the still image.
• Camera, tripod & sound overview.
• Multi Camera shoot. “The sequence”
• Determine target issue for each NGO and how media can be used.
• Scripting the Behavior Change Drama – many examples shown.
• Write scripts
• Shoot videos
Week 2:
• Shoot videos
• Log and capture
• Edit
• Presentation/Screening to public with handouts

OUTCOME
The resulting dramas can be used in clinics, churches, schools and workshops, to encourage behavior change among HIV vulnerable groups- such as women and youth. Videos will be written, shot, and edited by the students and will cover such topics as, stigma, integrating ARV treatment into daily life, the importance of disclosure, maintaining negative status, and improving communication between youth and their parents regarding HIV/AIDS.

NGO staff/students will be expected to design collateral materials such as handouts and fact sheets to accompany videos in the clinic and workshop settings, which should encourage interactive discussion of themes. NGO’s will also be encouraged to consider alternative forms of distribution including the Internet, community screenings, and mobile units.

Barefoot’s goal is to create responsible filmmakers who care about the world around them and who make it a point to give back to the people they work with. The point of the workshop is to enrich and empower people at a grassroots level, through learning and exchange. Barefoot encourages students internationally, to find their voice as filmmakers, while improving conditions locally by passing on their knowledge and skills to others.