(CNN) -- Africa is poor, corrupt and rural. Right? Think again. A team of young documentary makers is hoping to burst the myth of Africa as a dangerous backwater by shining a light on some inspiring projects taking place on the continent.
When filmmaker Nosarieme
Garrick hit the streets of New York to ask passersby: "What do you know
about Africa?" the overwhelming response was "not a lot."
"It's very big, very hot. Most of Africa's impoverished. I'm pretty ignorant to Africa," admitted one man.
"I know about some human rights violations, some wars and genocides," was the bleak answer from another woman.
It was a dismal reflection of many Western stereotypes surrounding Africa -- one that Nosarieme is determined to change.
My Africa is: hopeful
The 27-year-old hopes to launch an eight-part documentary series 'My Africa Is' -- showcasing the continent through the eyes of its insiders.
"The four things that
come to mind when people think of Africa are population, problems,
poverty, and promise unfulfilled -- headline media reports on the
continent. But that's not the whole story," Nosarieme, originally from
Nigeria and now living in Washington, said.
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The ambitious project
would cover 13 cities across Sub-Saharan Africa. But to get off the
ground it still needs $71,500 in funding with around $3,500 already
pledged through the Kickstarter charity website.
"The money would go towards travel, production and equipment, with the group starting a three-month shoot in October.
Life after being a high court judge
"Between the 1980s and
now the image of famine and wars has been ingrained in people's minds.
That's a narrative that's going to be hard to shift," Nosarieme said.
Secrets to start-up success
"That's not to discount the fact that this stuff does happen. But what I wasn't seeing was the solutions.
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