Recently, we have been studying about the life of Malala Yousafzai at our school. From this study, we have learned about issues in Southwest Asia including the lack of education for girls. To spread awareness of these conflicts and help children get a quality education, we have become advocates for education. The lack of schooling for girls is a major problem in Southwest Asia that is not well known to the public eye. This problem arose from extremist groups like the Taliban who are prejudiced against women. According to Malala Yousafzai, the Taliban believe that women “should stay at home...at all times.” If women are forced under house arrest, they will never be able to go to school and get an education. Education is important because it not only empowers people, but it creates economic growth and knowledge. In addition to putting women under house arrest, the Taliban are bombing schools that are known for teaching girls. One girl exclaimed, “The Taliban have already blown up hundreds of schools, and no one has done anything.” The fact that the government in that area is not doing anything to stop these attacks make the situation even more hopeless in Southwest Asia. To bring light to the situation in Southwest Asia, I have made a student-friendly animation that both expresses and teaches the hopes of Malala on quality schooling for all children. It also features Malala’s story in her perspective to enhance the feeling even more. This presentation is made entirely on the coding site “Scratch” by me. I hope that, by sharing this presentation with kids, the tragic situations found in Southwest Asia will be given some thought and will be discussed among the younger generation. That is why I hope that you will be able to show your friends, peers, teachers, neighbors and everyone else you know this animation to inspire them into thinking about how to become advocates for education for all children around the world. By spreading awareness, more people will be able to be aware of the conflicts and will be inspired to make a change. Thank you for your time and please consider spreading the message.
The animation “I Am Malala and This Is My Story” conveys and spreads awareness of the situations found in Southwest Asia. It exhibits the theme, “awareness is enough to blossom inspiration and dedication.” The artistic choice of making an animation reflects back on the generation this masterpiece was made but to enhance the emotions that the artwork stirs as well. The artwork conveys the well known story of Malala Yousafzai in a way to aware the public about the culture, geography, and the conflicts that are known be found in Southwest Asia. Shortly after the opening sequence, the project shares the setting of Yousafzai’s story, Swat Valley, Pakistan, to spread background information on the geography of that area. It also conveys the positive emotions that Malala Yousafzai has of her hometown. Then the animation describes the Taliban taking over and their impacts on not only Malala’s home. Malala Yousafzai goes on saying what she believes is the biggest problem the Taliban has caused. This section lets viewers see Malala’s feelings of determination and courage on standing up for women education. We also see her values as the animation sets the stage up for the biggest thing that changed Malala’s life; the attack. The scenes describing the attack are dark yet powerful. Malala Yousafzai’s greatest emotions flow as we understand what she thinks of the shooting. We understand her message, “awareness is enough to blossom inspiration and dedication,” here because the world finally understands the dire situations found in Southwest Asia. This awareness blossomed inspiration in many people around the world as portrayed in the animation. The concluding piece of “I Am Malala and This Is My Story” leaves the viewers suspended in awe and motivation as Malala looks down at of her new town. Through this moving piece, we understand not only the artist’s feelings and emotions on Malala Yousafzai’s story, but we also gain awareness of what is happening in Southwest Asia today. It is clear that the author wanted viewers to become inspired to help through this animation.
