The statistic that only 1% of our hard earned cash that we give to charity actually goes to the charitable cause is deplorable. So shocking in fact that it has stirred up enough passion in amateur documentary film maker, Michael Matthews to investigate further. “It is something I feel passionate about, I could not believe it when I heard that stat, I thought to myself something must be done.” It is clear to see that the topic touches a nerve in Michael and it’s something he is very passionate about.
The New York News has reported that of the $14,993,873 donated by the public to Bono’s ONE campaign only $184,732 (1%) actually went on charitable causes. An Alleged $8 million of that went on salaries. “People around the world hear about Bono’s charity, don’t get me wrong he has done fantastic work, but surely a larger percentage can be given to those who actually need it.”
Michael has experience with working for charities in the past, but is fairly modest about it. “I’m no Mother Teresa figure but yes, I do have a background in charity work”. He has experience both in the UK and abroad, helping out with guide dogs for the blind as well as a school re-development programme in South Africa, all at the spritely age of 20.
I put the question to him, why he chose to focus his documentary, ‘Tracing the Pound’, upon children in Africa. Michael recounted his visit to South Africa, at the age of 17, where “there was a water shortage at a school I visited. There had been no rain for several weeks and the school was unable to provide water for its pupils and the group of British students I was with ended up sharing our own meagre supplies of water”. “It was a life altering moment for me, it was difficult to comprehend the state of poverty and the inability of the state to provide one of life’s essentials.” The passion is easy to see in Michael, it is infectious.
It is this experience whilst at the school that he says to have influenced his decision to document the suffering in Africa and in particular focusing on the education sector and if funds are misappropriated and where the rest of the money we give goes.
Tanzania, on the east coast of Africa is the chosen destination for Michael’s investigatory piece and his chosen charity is the Village Education Project Kilimanjaro. An education based project based at the foot of the largest free standing mountain in the world. “The fact that it involves children is a positive for me, because it will have a greater impact upon the audience”
The Tanzanian literacy rate is a mere 69% and when compared the 99% of the UK, it is clear to see that something needs to be done to help them out. Michael believes “education can be the long term solution to Africa’s troubles, an education of sexual diseases and other stuff like technology could be a huge help.”
Not only is Michael undertaking this massive project of exposing the reality of what charities really do with our money, but he is also taking on the mountainous venture of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This is not just for his own personal gain, he is using his own charitable personality to help his close friend and colleague Jenny Young make her own documentary about the efforts of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, which she would have trouble creating without him. “I’m not just going along to help her with technical stuff but also mental support. It’s important to have friends during these types of things just to keep your head in the right place.” “I’ve always wanted to task myself with something like this, but I never imagined I’d be carrying filming equipment with me.”
“There is a confident air to Michael; every word he says has an authority behind it. An important characteristic when travelling to one of the most dangerous continents in the world, “I’ve been warned of the dangers, but if I’m sensible I’m sure I’ll be fine”
Tanzania is one of the less tumultuous countries in Africa which is why Michael has chosen to set his documentary there. “I haven’t actually got my Visa yet but fingers crossed it will be granted, there shouldn’t be any problem with my application”. Delving into some of his research reveals how difficult it is in some countries to obtain a visa, and really some of these places are incredibly dangerous for their natives let alone Western film makers with expensive equipment.
The well documented AIDS pandemic in Africa has affected the way of life in Tanzania as it has much of the rest of Africa. The life expectancy of the Tanzanian people has been reduced to 46 years due to it, an incredibly low number in comparison to that of the richer western nations. In the UK the average life expectancy is 80 years just under double that of the Tanzanian population whilst in the US it is 78 years. It was this pandemic that brought the African plight to our television screens.
“When in front of camera I try to combine the styles of Michael Moore, Louis Theroux and nick Broomfield, I’ve grown up watching these documentary film makers, and if I’m half as successful as any of them I’ll be happy”, As mentioned earlier Michael definitely doesn’t lack confidence and certainly when it comes to his aspirations he is thinking big, “in five years I’d love to be on a major team like Dispatches or perhaps freelancing abroad.” Michael has future projects in mind even before finishing this one, he has plans to investigate the laser eye surgery field and the risks of having it done and will then finish it by receiving the treatment if he thinks the risk are worth taking. The future looks bright for this promising documentary film maker.
The final cut of this documentary will be shown when Michael is still at just the fledgling age of 20, still with a great percentage of those 80 expected years left on his side.
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