STUDY FINDS THAT FILMAID WORKS!
In June, 2006, experts from Boston University’s Center for International Health and Development completed an independent evaluation assessing the impact of FilmAid’s program in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. It is the longest running of FilmAid’s programs and serves over 90,000 refugees from nine African countries (as well as the local host community) in one of the largest camps in the world. Last year FilmAid reached a cumulative audience of over 625,000 in Kakuma.
The following are highlights of the key findings of the evaluation, one of the only studies of its kind to analyze the impact of using film and video as a tool to promote health, strengthen communities and enrich the lives of refugees. Findings indicate that FilmAid is effectively:
- Educating about the prevention and resolution of conflict, HIV/AIDS, human rights, domestic violence and gender equity
- Providing people with knowledge and examples of how to take action in those areas
- Helping people cope with their problems and restoring hope
I. FilmAid’s reach
- 99% of respondents stated that they know what FilmAid is
- 86% stated that they have attended a FilmAid screening
- Films/videos were listed by respondents as a primary source of information
- 90% say that they talk about the content of the films after the screenings, 52% say that they talk about them a lot
- 75% felt FilmAid screenings had a positive impact on the community
II. Psychosocial & Mental Health impact
- 98% perceive that people enjoy the films
- 77% perceive FilmAid has made a positive impact on how people feel
III. Educational impact
Conflict Resolution & Peace Building:- 94% perceive FilmAid films provide assistance with problem solving
- 96% perceive a positive impact on conflict reduction and community building
- Perceived positive impact on family planning and a marked increase in level of knowledge of family planning
- Perceived positive impact on HIV knowledge and behavior and whether or not people decide to get tested
- Positive impact on women’s quality of life:
- more than 50% of respondents feel that FilmAid films have increased women’s participation in the community
- the majority of respondents indicated that their attitude towards women’s issues has been positively affected
- 50% perceive a large impact on attitudes toward female education
- 64% expressed more willingness to discuss women’s issues
Notably, there were no significant statistical differences in responses based on gender, ethnic group, age or location within the camp – proof of the power of film to transcend these barriers that often hamper traditional educational and psychological relief approaches.
The first part of the study, a qualitative assessment, pointed to some areas where FilmAid was perceived to have had a negative impact or where concern was raised. These included:
- family conflict and husbands forbidding wives to attend screenings;
- concern that teenagers may use the evening screenings as an opportunity to get together and misbehave; and
- safety walking home from evening screenings.
In the second part of the study (a quantitative assessment) questions were therefore included to 1) validate and 2) quantify these responses. The results validated some of the concerns raised while discrediting others. FilmAid is using these findings to improve current operations and factoring them into new program design.
- “If you have seen something funny you laugh and try to join the other person near you to your laughter and in this case you interact with a hard sworn enemy which in the process may be your friend through the interaction you have just made with him.” --Kakuma Refugee
FilmAid International thanks the Skoll Foundation and Dr. Charlyn Belluzzo for their support, as well as Dr. Paul Bolton and Drs. Josh Ruxin and Ronald Waldman for their assistance with this study.
Click here to view the Final Evauluation Report Prepared by Boston University
