Resources: A Small Act
When Hilde Back sponsored a young, rural Kenyan student, she thought nothing of it. She certainly never expected to hear from him, but years later she does. Now a Harvard graduate and a Human Rights Lawyer for the United Nations, Chris Mburu decides to find the stranger that changed his life. Inspired by her generosity, he starts a scholarship program of his own and names it for his former benefactor.
Documentaries Category
Humanitas Prize
2011
Vision Award
NAMIC
2011
Filmmaking Excellence
Nantucket Film Festival
2010
Audience Award
Nantucket Film Festival
2010
Nominated:
News & Documentary Emmy
2011
The top students in Mukubu primary school are in the exact same situation as Chris once was. They are bright, but can’t afford to pay school fees. With the creation of Chris’ fund, these students have new hope. But the program is small; how many will qualify for a scholarship?
Using a strong narrative, the film interweaves seemingly separate lives into a cohesive whole. With clarity and grace, A Small Act, bears witness to the ripple effect a single action can create.
Using a strong narrative, the film interweaves seemingly separate lives into a cohesive whole. With clarity and grace, A Small Act, bears witness to the ripple effect a single action can create.
Lesson plans
Video Clips
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Clip: 1. Introducing Chris & Hilde
We meet Chris Mburu, a Kenyan human rights lawyer, and Hilde Back, an elderly lady living in Sweden. -
Clip: 2. Remembering Hilde's Jewish parents
Hilde talks about her parents and explains how she came to live in Sweden. -
Clip: 3. Results time
The students are very tense as they wait for their exam results. -
Clip: 4. Selecting the scholarships
We talk to the lucky - and unlucky - children
