A Small Act

A Small Act is an emotional and captivating documentarian film released in 2010, directed by Jennifer Arnold. Its key personae narratively revolve around Hilde Back, Chris Mburu and Patrick Kimani whose lives are interwoven in a dramatic saga of goodwill, hope, and perserverance. This film allows viewers to travel around the globe, from the serene countryside of Sweden, to the vibrant village of Githunguri in Kenya, and onto the bureaucratic hallways of the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva.

In its essence, A Small Act is a testament to the incredible, even if seemingly small, the impact that a random act of kindness can have on individuals and communities. Hilde Back, a Swedish Holocaust survivor, is not a rich philanthropist; she is just an average citizen who decides to sponsor the education of a Kenyan student named Chris Mburu, putting aside a mere $15 a month. The film takes us on a journey through the power of such a small act as it completely transforms Mburu's life.

Like most Kenyan children, Mburu grew up in a financially stricken family where the prospect of a decent education seemed like a distant dream. Due to economic constraints, education was unaffordable, exacerbating the hopelessness and dim outlook on life. Hilde, not knowing the profound impact she would have, stepped in with her monthly donation and played an instrumental role in providing Mburu with a stepping stone to break the poverty cycle.

This little act of humanity allowed Mburu to earn a scholarship, allowing him to eventually study at Harvard Law School and later become a top human rights lawyer at the United Nations, fighting to break the prejudice and injustices that he once faced.

In honor of Hilde, an elderly woman with an enormous heart, Chris Mburu decides to start a scholarship foundation. He names it after her and returns to his hometown in Kenya to find other promising students who could benefit from this opportunity. This is where Patrick Kimani is introduced, a bright and endearing student who is hoping to be one of the beneficiaries of the "Hilde Back Education Fund."

Patrick is introduced at a time when he is preparing for a crucial national exam, a stepping stone to obtain the scholarship. There's an emotional weight tied to Patrick's performance on this, reminding viewers that Chris was once in his shoes, offering the audience a glimpse of the stressful, highly competitive nature of the Kenyan educational system.

Parallel to this, the film allows us to understand Hilde Back as she reflects on her past, revealing a traumatic history of surviving the Holocaust while believing she had been abandoned due to her inability to trace her Berlin family. Hilde's story is a poignant reminder of humanity's resilience, battling through adversity, and her selfless decision to impact another's life.

The film, in its exploration, doesn't shy away from the socioeconomic-political atmosphere surrounding the scholarships and the consequences it could have on societal norms. Additionally, the film dips briefly into politics when a bout of post-election violence breaks out in Kenya. The violence not only threatens the stability of the country but also poses a risk to the continuation of the scholarship program.

The film takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster journey through the lives of these characters and their contrasting yet interlinked experiences. A Small Act is more than an inspiring narrative; it is a call to action, showcasing the immense power and transformative potential nestled in seemingly small acts of kindness, generosity, and goodwill. It strikes a confluence of emotions, empathy, joy, despair, worry, and relief while challenging the viewer to consider the impact of their actions in the grand scheme of things.

Ultimately A Small Act proves that it is often the smallest deeds that make the most significant difference. It showcases that one person's altruism can grow into a force of change for many, emphasizing that no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted. This is a film that remains imprinted on your mind, teaching universal lessons on empathy, compassion, and the tremendous power of giving.