JVN shows that small acts make a difference

Over 100 people attended the JVN private film showing of A Small Act at the Everyman cinema in Belsize Park.

The cinema event on the 12th September was a first fundraising event of its kind for our small and dynamic charity. Susan Winton, co-founder and Chairman of JVN explains:

"We wanted to show an appropriate film that would touch and inspire people to volunteer, something that says - I *can* make a difference with small individual acts and mitzvahs and so overcome big problems."

The film, a small act, not yet released in the UK, is a recipient of numerous film festival awards including Edinburgh and Sundance, and describes the decision of Chris Mburu, Kenyan Harvard Law graduate to set up a fund sponsoring underprivileged Kenyan children into secondary education in the name of his own Swedish benefactor, Hilde Back, who had enabled him to escape village poverty - and the almost unbelievable connection between their two lives.

Candice Wolfson, Director of the United Synagogue's Project Chesed, attended the film and was so moved that she wrote to JVN afterwards:

"The film bears witness to the Scott Adams quote: "Remember, there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." This film inspiringly illustrated the ripple effect that Hilde Back sponsoring a rural Kenyan student had on the lives of hundreds of other people. Due to that one original sponsorship, Chris is now a Human Rights Lawyer for the UN meaning that literally thousands of lives have been changed through her one small act!

For my work, I am trying to engage people in acts of chesed (loving kindness). People often ask me what difference they can make to problems that are so big - poverty is Kenya is a huge issue yet this film demonstrated very powerfully how one individual made a difference. So, the opportunities for chesed are endless; sponsoring a child as we saw in this film, giving blood, visiting someone who is unwell or volunteering to help out the many charities that are doing this directly. Any one of these acts has the potential to change the life of someone else and more people beyond. If you see this film, prepare to be inspired and have your perspective changed forever!"

Following the success and the overwhelming reception to the film, JVN would like to offer it to other organisations and individuals to show and raise awareness of volunteering and supporting good causes in the community. If you are interested, please contact call us on 0207 443 5100.