100 Views of Kathmandu

Synopsis

This documentary is being made as part of Libby Hathorns 100 Views Program which has been successfully run in Australian school communities for the past two years. This is an inspirational approach to literacy learning in that children and teachers are encouraged to celebrate their community through a selected icon (geographical or architectural) with a 100 Views, just as artist Hokusai celebrated and gave a snapshot of Japanese life in 1820s through his inspiring 100 Views of Mt Fuji. The school children write about their chosen icon, draw it and model it, research it and upload 100 examples of their work to share with their community; and then through the technology available to us, share it with other communities, taking it to the world.

The 100 Views Kathmandu documentary gives a brief overview of the 100 Views Program and then focuses entirely on a small school community in Kathmandu and the preparation of teachers to be skilled and ready to take part in the program with students and the community. Childrens writer Libby Hathorn and artist Pat Granville Smith run a series of literacy, poetry, art and media workshops in Kathmandu for teachers in the school.

An interview with young Australian lawyer, Rebeccah Ordish, the Founder of MITRATAA, a non profit organization focused on educational initiatives in Nepal, forms the spine of the story. She with her husband, struggle to maintain the school founded specifically to help Nepalese children and especially girls get an education.

100 Views of Kathmandu tracks a teacher who is taking part in the poetry and art and media workshops right up to the school launching of the 100 Views Program with their students.