We Will Rise: Michelle Obama's Mission to Educate Girls Around the World

We Will Rise: Michelle Obama's Mission to Educate Girls Around the World is an inspiring documentary film from 2016, featuring former First Lady Michelle Obama, award-winning actress Freida Pinto, and prominent journalist Isha Sesay. This compelling piece documents the challenges faced by girls in different parts of the world, lobbying to stay in school and receive quality education. The central focus of this film addresses the social, economic, and cultural barriers that prevent many girls worldwide from attending and staying in school.

The opening act introduces viewers to Michelle Obama's Let Girls Learn initiative, launched during her tenure as the first lady of the United States. This initiative focuses on the imperative need to offer educational opportunities to girls around the globe, many of whom are denied this basic right due to poverty, cultural norms, or lack of resources. This narrative provides the backdrop for the rest of the documentary, where Michelle Obama, along with the other prominent women, engage in firsthand conversations and experiences.

Joining Michelle Obama on this remarkable journey are Freida Pinto, an Indian actress known for her role in Slumdog Millionaire, and Isha Sesay, a British journalist of Sierra Leonean descent. Both accomplices bring an insightful and global perspective to the narrative. Pinto, who has been actively involved in promoting girls' education, lends her voice to help amplify the issues. Sesay, on the other hand, brings forth a journalistic acuity, underscoring the graveness of the situation.

The film takes the audience to Liberia and Morocco, two countries where the fight for girls' education is still a daily struggle. The visit to these countries serves as an exposition of the stark realities of deprivation and inequality. This exploration helps the viewers comprehend the sheer scale of the challenges that many girls face while attempting to receive an education.

In Liberia, the audience is introduced to Raphina Felee, a brave young girl determined to become the first person in her family to complete high school, despite the evident cultural and financial hurdles. The story of Felee, along with several other Liberian girls, paints a vivid picture of the uphill battles they face daily, especially in a post-war country where the scars of conflict still linger.

In Morocco, we meet girls like Rajae, who travel long distances through challenging terrain just to reach school. This often means waking up before dawn and returning home after dark, a testimony to the girls' resolve to learn and better their circumstances. This segment reveals the harrowing lengths that some girls must go to achieve an education and a brighter future.

Overall, We Will Rise: Michelle Obama's Mission to Educate Girls Around the World is a poignant, heartfelt, and thought-provoking documentary that aims to portray not just the struggle, but the incredible determination, resilience, and courage of young girls fighting for their right to education. It is a story about hope and the power of change.

Moreover, this film is an essential discussion about the importance to make education accessible to all regardless of gender, geographic location, or financial situation. Through Obama's mission, the film amplifies the existing societal issues while offering a beacon of hope for better prospects through education.

The documentary also reflects on the power of the collective and harnesses the public sphere into action, with the ultimate goal of providing quality education for girls worldwide. By doing so, it echoes a powerful message, "When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous," as stated by Michelle Obama.

In summary, We Will Rise: Michelle Obama's Mission to Educate Girls Around the World offers a call to action. It's an invitation to everyone, everywhere, to rise up and fight for every girl's fundamental right to receive a quality education. This film encapsulates the transformative power education holds in shifting societal norms, unlocking potential, and creating a powerful ripple effect that can uplift communities and indeed the entire world. It's a must-watch for anyone invested in equality, justice, and education.