Who Are The Children of Agape?
We Are Together: The Children of Agape follows twelve-year-old Slindile Moya (who’s also credited as the film’s co-writer) and her siblings, and several other members of the very talented choir of children who, having lost their parents to the HIV epidemic decimating South Africa's population, live at Agape Orphanage, run by the aging “Grandma” Zodwa Mqadi, in the Natal.Through his camera’s lens, documentary director Paul Taylor shares with us what is obviously a remarkably good relationship that he's formed with Slindle and the other children. They clearly like and trust him, and feel so comfortable in front of his camera that they express their thoughts about life, the loss of parents and home, and their hopes for the future in a completely candid, disarmingly guileless and utterly charming way. The children of Agape are, in fact, irresistibly captivating.
The Children of Agape: Their Lives, Times and Talents
At Agape Orphanage, Slindile, her siblings, and the other youngsters sleep dormitory-style, sometimes doubling up in bunk beds. They help to prepare their food--most of what we see is of the white bread and jelly sandwiches variety--and they devour it with the gusto of hungry children. They don school uniforms and head out into the community to be educated alongside other children who’re fortunate enough to still be living at home with their families.The kids who reside at Agape Orphanage are not children who misbehave. In fact, they look after each other with amazing maturity, affection, kindness and humor.
And, they sing. Every day, when Slindile and her peers return from public school--and before they do their other chores--they gather together to sing for several hours as a choir, rehearsing their special selection of traditional Zulu songs mixed in with gospel songs, such as "Oh Happy Day."
The children are extremely talented. In fact, they sing like angels, and once you’ve heard them, you’ll simply not be able to forget the purity and strength of their voices.
Thina Simunye - We Are Together
In their anthem song, "Thina Simunye" (meaning "We Are Together"), the children’s soaring harmonies will uplift you. Then, Slindile and her younger sister sing their duets beautifully, and seven-year-old Mbali (a name, she informs us--with an utterly adorable and partially toothless grin--that means ‘flower’) belts out "Pigogo" with a sobering earnestness that etches the song into your memory.At one point, the enthusiastic and demanding choirmaster has to remind himself that Mbali needs a break. “She’s our youngest, and gets very tired,” he says, as the camera swings from his face to show Mbali now doing a cartwheel. “Look at her now, see how happy she is playing. She's just a kid.”
The choir is rehearsing for a concert and CD that they, and Grandma Zodwa, hope will alert the world to their need for support: for better food, for clothing and the basics of life, and for a new building--a need that becomes absolutely crucial when their existing building burns to the ground, taking with it everything that they possessed--that will allow the orphanage to shelter more of the children--thousands of them, and the population is growing quickly--who’ve been orphaned and are in dire need.
Eventually (and we’re not given details about how this comes about) the children do make the Children of Agape CD, and wind up in New York for a concert--at which they share the stage with Alicia Keys and Paul Simon--and are a huge success.
As a result, Grandma Zodwa is able to build a new orphanage.
Beyond The Agape Orphanage
Happy ending? Yes, but we understand--in our heads and hearts--the urgent need for more to be done.To show HIV's effect on families, Taylor follows Slindile home, where she sings with her family (they've always expressed feeling through song, we learn, as is tradition), visits her HIV-infected brother, Sifiso, watches him die, buries him, and weeps with her siblings--although, Sifiso's last wish was for them to be happy.
Remember, Slindile is 12 years old. Her eldest sister, now family matriarch--with her own infant--isn't much older. The personal tragedy they face is harrowing, yet they cope and carry on. Their strength of character is inspiring.
Paul Taylor’s success in gaining his subjects' trust results in a honest, sensitive, compelling film. Taylor eschews cinematic gimmickry, fancy camera angles, special effects. Other than that you know he's behind the camera, Taylor keeps himself out of the film. The pure verite works extremely well. The focus is on the kids and their circumstances, as it should be. Bravo!
The children of Agape sing their way into your conscience, making you grateful for your good circumstances and regretful about squandering resources that could/should be used for the welfare of those who cannot provide for themselves. Slindile, Mbali and their peers raise their voices for all children who’ve not yet found the means or guidance to let the world know that they matter and deserve to live decently, with respect and comfort.
See We Are One: The Children of Agape and let it open your heart and convince you to take action to help.
