togetherTV breaks the mould to boost coverage of developing world

Emmanuel Kalunga as featured on TTV

In a unique partnership between broadcasters and charities, the films are offered free of charge to use as fillers. In March, Discovery Networks Europe requested the films and has since shown them frequently across its networks within Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The Community Channel – with over a million viewers each month will broadcast the films from 28 November.

In another ground-breaking initiative, togetherTV films are available on its website (www.togethertv.org) allowing people from the UK to access stories directly, by-passing broadcasters altogether.

togetherTV films are not about doom and gloom. They allow one person to describe, in their own voice, how they’re getting on with things in adverse circumstances.

In one, Emmanuel Kalunga, an orphan of the AIDS epidemic that is ravaging Zambia, dreams his way out of extreme poverty by flying a kite he’s made from a plastic bag. “When my kite flies really high, I feel happy. I forget about everything. I forget about everything that has happened to me. I feel good,” he says. http://www.togethertv.org/people/people_zambia.htm#

In another, Robi Damelin, an Israeli peace activist, has her beliefs severely challenged when her 22-year-old son is killed by a Palestinian sniper. Robi says: “The questions is: what do you do with all this? Do you go out on a path of revenge? Or do you behave in the way that you always have behaved and do the things that you believe in?” http://www.togethertv.org/people/people_israel.htm

“togetherTV films are quirky and unique – they give a snapshot of someone’s life and challenge our preconceived ideas of people in developing countries,” said James Gilbey, Creative Director, EMEA , Discovery Networks Europe.

“It’s rare to hear first-hand personal stories from the developing world – but at Discovery we strive to broadcast innovative factual entertainment from all over the world.”

togetherTV is a three-year project set up by Christian Aid and Irish charity Trocaire.

For more information please see:
www.togethertv.org