Directed by: Ansley West
Produced by: Danielle Bernstein
Camera: Ansley West
Editor: Danielle Bernstein
Editor: Dave Raizman

Synopsis
Mothers of a Nation is a film and photography exhibition about a unique group of empowered women farmers. The film follows a wife and husband from America, photographer and filmmaker Ansley West, and organic farmer, Rafe Rivers as they research Ugandan farming methods.
They are astonished to find predominantly women in the fields who through friendship reveal their complicated lives ridden with sexism, suffering, sickness, and solitude. The women combat poverty and HIV through sustainable agriculture projects and solidarity resulting in their improved health, happiness and livelihood in their homes.

Ansley and Rafe are lead through rural Uganda and into the homes of a diverse group of women by Florence Lumbandi and Alice Lubunk. These two women are entrepreneurs and leaders in their respective communities. Many women come to them for support and guidance. Through service to their communities, they are able to provide unique perspectives into women’s role in Ugandan Society as a whole and how agriculture can be utilized in changing not only financial futures but also psychological states of being.
Collectively, these female farmers of Southern Uganda delve into their personal histories, to tell the story of rural Ugandan Society. Womens’ suffrage and the onset of HIV are the two most influential changes to traditional roles. The effects are described as profound and often devastating. However, as Ansley, Rafe, Alice and Florence travel through rural Uganda, the landscape of womens’ history unfolds into one of hope and prosperity as they take control of their desperate situations through agriculture, education, and solidarity.

Trailer

A Brief History
Uganda’s present President, Yoweri Museveni, granted women’s suffrage after his takeover in 1985 to give voice to the majority of people left in the country after years of fighting. Women’s suffrage radically changed the traditional gender roles in Ugandan society.
Traditionally, men did the majority of work outside the house to make money for school fees, home improvements, clothes, paraffin, and other monetary needs. Men farmed and partook in careers to provide cash and support for their families. Traditionally, women were responsible for taking care of the kids, household chores, and a small garden to provide vegetables for the family. Women were not allowed to work outside the home and in many tribes it was against tradition for a woman to even sit down in public so women were confined to their home in all aspects of their lives. It was unfathomable for a woman to have a career. The new law granted women a voice in politics and the freedom to pursue careers outside the home such as doctors, lawyers, shopkeepers, and other job opportunities.

Ugandan men responded to the change by abandoning their responsibilities, leaving it to their wives and children. Collectively, men feel that since women have suffrage and the ability to pursue careers outside the home then men should no longer be responsible for anything, which leaves defers the burden to every female in the household. Women are the majority of the Ugandan workforce from farming to administrative jobs. 

This mindset has carried into other aspects of behavior like HIV/AIDS transmissions. Men are responsible for most HIV infections because of polygamy and irresponsibility towards their infection. Men repeatedly infect woman without ever going for treatment or being honest about their virus. They seldom get tested or treated though their wives are determined positive. Many of the women carry HIV along with all the other burdens of their nation with strength and integrity. Women living with HIV suffer from the prejudice and isolation that comes with having the virus. Frequently, women are kicked out of their homes and abandon by their families when they decide to come forward in order to receive HIV tests and treatments.

The burden of female responsibility persists as the leading hindrance in social and economic reform. Though women carry the nation on their sweat and tears, they have no power or voice in government. The majority of Uganda is rural without access to Kampala, the capitol, due to poor roads and transportation. Women’s suffrage gave them a right to vote but know means to do it. Men still head each state, village, and community. Women are owned first by their fathers then by their husbands. Women are property therefore cannot participate in leadership on the influential level of policy outside urban areas. The corruption of men still cripples the Uganda keeping it from flourishing into a first world country. Women are the backbone of society keeping every family fed and clothed though they remain unjustly voiceless citizens in the country they hold together.

Directors Statement

After spending a total of 5 months working alongside Florence, Alice, and the women they mentor, I believe this project has taken on a message of international importance. Not unlike other disadvantaged minority communities, these women need access to resources, education, healthcare and sustainable healthy food sources. The lack of these four basic needs is an epidemic of disparity that faces disadvantaged people throughout the world. These women are survivors and unfortunately they represent a small number who have transformed their lives through empowering themselves and those around them. We are not alone in the identification of these topics. The story addresses 4 of 8 Millennium Development Goals set forth by the United Nations: Eradicate Extreme Poverty & Hunger, Goal, Reduce Child Mortality Goal, Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria & Other Diseases, Ensure Environmental Sustainability.

I strongly believe in the power of these women’s stories as I have listened to them recounted while sharing a meal at a women’s home and working side by side with her in their fields. My husband and I started building organic community gardens in AIDS hospitals when we first arrived in 2008. I met Florence, when a group of women became interested in the techniques we were using and persuaded us to help them implement the new techniques in their own fields. As I got to know the women, I became inspired by their lifestyles and traditions. Each woman possesses a unique story, but within every individual lays a common strength and determination. The women of Mothers of a Nation have served as a remarkable source of inspiration to Rafe and I regardless of our different cultures. The lessons I have learned have influenced all aspects of our lives making us better people.

Screening/Exhibition History

**March 15th, 2011**
• Champlain College

2010
• Emory University
• The University of Utah

2009
• B(art) – Jeruselum, Israel
• Wonderoot, Atlanta,

Awards
nextPix firstPix Grant