In 1993, Friends of Africa International commenced an awareness and fundraising campaign to assist the Abwenzi African Studies Video Exchange Project, directed by Ms. Carlyle Kyzer. The project was successfully completed, and linked and educates Malawaian and American students through two videos. Abwenzi African Studies is a registered nonprofit organization based in Aspen. Abwenzi has provided African Studies classes and African pen pal opportunities to Aspen Middle School students since 1989.
The video is now being used as part of the environmental education program at Lake Malawi National Park. It introduces Malawians to environmental issues, and encourages them to learn about wildlife in Malawi. In the video filmed at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Aspen pen pals demonstrate a lesson about the aquatic web of life.
Little known in the U.S., Malawi hosts a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, zebras, hippos, antelope, birds, reptiles and over 500 species of colorful indigenous fish. As one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in Africa, Malawi faces critical loss of wildlife habitat.
The second video of the exchange illustrates a view of Malawian parks and villages with an emphasis on environmental issues. Our long-term connections with Malawi provide us an intimate African perspective. Ms. Kyzer worked with Emmy award-winning cinematographer, Greg Poschman, who spent one month filming on location in Malawi for Abwenzi, and 1993 ACE award winning editor, Krysia Carter-Giez. The finished product was given the great recognition of receiving an Emmy Award in documentary features.
‘Zikomo kwambiri’ (‘thank you very much’ in Chichewa language) to all the Friends of Africa International who have supported Abwenzi!
For more information, please see the Letters from Africa website.