Cinechicks’ mission is to support — culture, change, compassion — through entertainment. On every production, we ask: What else will help influence change and open minds, extending the impact of our productions?

For instance, we created a study guide on South Africa for students in and around Drumstruck.We fought to ensure the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency movie was actually shot in Botswana and worked diligently to support the creation of a film industry infrastructure in Botswana.

Each production, whether completed or in the works, has a section called “Extras.” Sometimes, these extras encompass ways in which we’ve worked with local communities. Sometimes, these are elements that are special to each project. We also have links to pertinent information or to charities that we support.

We deeply commit to the notion of giving back. This can come through our approach to projects, and it can also come through direct financial support. A percentage of our net profits is given to organizations. These organizations have included:

• Nkosi’s Haven, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Maitisong Festival, Botswana;
• Masisukumeni Women’s Crisis Centre, Kwalugedlane, South Africa.

In addition, the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency television movie has set up the “No. 1 Ladies Fund” to be administered through Comic Relief for donations to charitable organizations in Botswana to benefit women and children. As producers, we wanted to support the empowerment of African women, for women have taken a quiet (and sometimes not so quiet) hand in the healing and care giving of the Continent.

Finally, as an on-going activity, Cinechicks sits on the Board of Directors and directly supports the Memory Box Project in South Africa. This is a project to help the preservation of culture and the roots of family among the AIDS crisis. We empower families and loved ones to create "memory boxes," personal video messages — of joy, tears, and remembrance — for those dying of AIDS. As the organization evolves, we have used the Shoah Foundation as an amazing model of what can be done.

THE MEMORY BOX PROJECT

NKOSI'S HAVEN

THE NO. 1 LADIES FUND