Mary's Way (f.k.a. Maasai Sisters/ Maasai Daughters)

Mary's Way (f.k.a. Maasai Sisters/ Maasai Daughters)'s Fundraiser

Mary's Way: A Documentary Film image

Mary's Way: A Documentary Film

Help share the stories of inspiring girls in Kenya.

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Girls' and women's voices have the power to change the world. Support storytelling for social change.

Mary's Way is a feature documentary film directed, shot, and edited by Samantha Andre. Filmed over the course of eight years in the Maasailand of Kenya, we are now raising funds to finish the film and bring it to diverse audiences. By supporting our project, you can help amplify the voices of girls fighting for change in their communities, helping to share their stories around the world.

All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to supporting completion of the film.

WATCH THE TRAILER:
https://vimeo.com/864988334/7ce1579caf?share=copy

The Story
In the Maasailand of Kenya, 9-year-old Mary fights against enormous odds – poverty, violence, and tradition – to pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor. Told over eight years, Mary’s Way provides an intimate window into the journey of a Maasai girl as she becomes a voice for her generation.

The film follows Mary’s powerful story of escaping from – and later being forced into – female genital mutilation and narrowly escaping an early forced marriage. From her rural village to her university in Nairobi, we witness Mary’s transformation from a girl to a young woman as she comes to terms with her trauma and claims her strength as an advocate.

Mary is bold enough to challenge her culture, risking everything to shape her own path and empower other girls to do the same. It’s a story of growing up, hope, loss, forgiveness, perseverance, and possibility. Mary’s Way reminds us that it takes one person to stand up for what’s right and make a difference.

The Topic
Female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage are critical examples of gender-based violence. The practices were criminalized in Kenya however, they persist in communities where families depend on the economic boost of dowries and where gender-based traditions are deeply rooted. Never before have these interconnected issues been explored in film through the life of a girl as she grows up navigating and challenging them.

The Plan
We’ve completed four production trips in Kenya as Mary comes of age through middle school and into University. Our plan is to return to Kenya for a follow-up shoot to capture the bookends of Mary’s story.

How You Can Help
We are raising finishing funds for our final shoots and to pay for editing, post production and distribution. We are looking for bold partners to help bring this film to the finish line. Any donation amount is a huge help!


The Team

Director/Editor/Director of Photography: Samantha Andre

Producer: Graeme Aegerter

Advisor and Field Director: Laissa Malih

Research and Story Consultant: Dr. Caroline Archambault

Consulting Editor: Davis Coombe

Executive Producer: Sally Rubin


Thank you!

Want to connect about the film? Reach out at sam@samandre.com