Creative Freelancer Rachel Ward, whose animation ‘Breaking the Cycle: Water Poverty and Empowering Women and Girls in Malawi’ won Silver at the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2024, has been praised by the Giving Tuesday global team for her ingenuity and commitment to supporting good causes.
Rachel volunteered her time and skills to help Pump Aid, a charity dedicated to eradicating water poverty in Malawi, developing a short animation highlighting the harsh reality of water poverty and its impact on women and girls.
“We are immensely grateful to Rachel for her talent and commitment in bringing this project to life. Her expertise and passion have been instrumental in creating a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences worldwide.”
Throughout the project Rachel remained committed to authenticity, working closely with the Pump Aid team in Malawi to create and record commentary that would give a voice to those who are affected by the issue.
“Collaborating with Pump Aid and contributing to meaningful change is a real privilege. I wanted to create bespoke animations that would accurately convey the emotions and experiences of the people of Malawi. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us, and helped deliver an animation that resonated with viewers, evoking empathy and understanding for the women and girls battling water poverty in Malawi. You amplified our message and contributed to the wider impact of the awards.”
Following her success at the Smiley Charity Film Awards, the award winner is being recognised by Giving Tuesday, an international movement dedicated to celebrating generosity.
“Rachel’s work shows us just how impactful volunteering can be. Giving her time and expertise pro-bono has helped an incredible charity reach and inspire more people, and raised awareness of a complex issue many in the UK are unaware of. This kind of generosity and commitment is what Giving Tuesday is all about. If everyone was to give some of their time and knowledge to good causes, we would be able to achieve great things and transform the lives of others.”
James added: “For Giving Tuesday 2024, we’re taking part in Big Give Week, from 3rd to 10th December. This year’s campaign, ‘Clean Water, Bright Futures in Rural Malawi,’ aims to raise £50,000. With match funding, every donation will have double the impact!”
Pump Aid is a specialist UK NGO with a mission to end water poverty in Malawi. Pump Aid’s specialist Malawian staff work with communities to identify systemic issues related to water, sanitation and hygiene and focus on delivering solutions that are sustainable for the long term. This has led Pump Aid to focus on training and supporting local Mechanics to establish flourishing businesses repairing community waterpoints, preventing premature breakdown and restoring access to safe water for thousands across Malawi.
To support their work and find out more and watch the award-winning video “Breaking the Cycle: Water Poverty and Empowering Women and Girls in Malawi” please visit https://pumpaid.org/ and Youtube
