"The Reborn": a story of overcoming the odds in the Congo

Friends of Monkole seeks to school children from orphanages in D.R. Congo

Angie, the woman with ALS who transformed her fragility into hope.

– Supernatural Friends of Monkole Foundation will present next Thursday, November 27th at the Palacio de la Prensa Cinemas in Madrid the documentary film Kobotama Lisusu (The reborn), a moving true story of overcoming the odds, filmed in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) and directed by Álvaro Hernández Blanco.

The film, produced by the Friends of Monkole Foundation and with Gabriel González-Andrío as executive producer, narrates the experience of Fils and Ruth, two siblings who were accused of witchcraft, mistreated and expelled from their home during their childhood. Their struggle to survive and gain access to a decent education becomes a symbol of hope for thousands of Congolese children in a similar situation.

According to UNICEF and Save the Children, between 50,000 and 70,000 children have been accused of witchcraft in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Kinshasa alone, where some 20 million people live, more than 30,000 minors survive on the streets, and 80 % of them were expelled and abandoned for these same reasons.

“Witchcraft accusations and armed conflicts are the main causes of mass school exclusion,” says Enrique Barrio, president of the Friends of Monkole Foundation. “That is why we have launched a Scholarship Program that will allow 50 children from two orphanages in Kinshasa to attend school. We believe that education is the key to development and equal opportunities”.

Hope in Kinshasa

The director of the documentary, Álvaro Hernández Blanco, highlights that Kobotama Lisusu “seeks to shed light and hope on real stories of children who, in spite of everything, manage to get ahead”.

“We don't want Ruth and Fils to be exceptions, we want them to be references,” he adds. “You often hear that documentaries «raise awareness,» but with Kobotama Lisusu we want to go a step further by putting very tangible measures within reach to engage the public in change,” he concludes.

Fils Makani, one of the protagonists, says: “I am excited about this documentary and I believe it will touch and change the lives of many people, including ours. I want to thank Friends of Monkole because thanks to their help it has changed our future”.

The premiere of the documentary has the collaboration of Omnes Magazine, the cinemas of the Palacio de la Prensa in Madrid, Antonio Gamboa (The Art Warriors, Madrid Content School). and Canal 24 Horas journalist Laura Pavía.