Beson’s Hope Documentary

Dreaming to Stand Tall

Film Festival Official Selections – 2017/2018

Cherub Film Festival

AM Egypt Film Festival

Cardiff International Film Festival

Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards

Trailer Link: & IMDB LINK:

The Story

During a trip to Africa, Ms. Masha Balovlenkov and several others, funded by grant money, visited specific communities. Their mission was to help local women empower themselves through various programs. This initiative was a goodwill gesture on her part. It was nothing out of the ordinary for her, as her husband and mother often remarked, “She’s always been a good person. Her husband and Mom would say, “She’s always been a good person.”

One day, someone asked her if she would investigate a certain medical situation—something unusual considering her reason for coming to Africa.

She was introduced to Benson, a bright 10-year-old boy from Tanzania living in Moishi. He weighed only 50 pounds and faced teasing from his peers, which ultimately led to him being expelled from school because he didn’t appear “normal.” Benson had a spinal disorder that caused his spine to curve. As a result, he was frequently unwell, experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort.

All Benson wanted was to be free of pain, play, and return to school. It felt like that would never happen.

Benson lived with his grandmother in a house made of mud and sticks. Due to his spinal disorder, sleeping on the floor was difficult for him, but he had no choice but to endure the pain each night. His grandmother loved him dearly, though she was too old to take care of a disabled boy properly. This was the life they shared in their challenging environment.

This was his grandma’s home, and she was doing her best for him. She was not afraid to keep asking for help. Someone might be listening.

When Masha met Benson, she didn’t know what he had. She didn’t know how to help him, or what to do. She came back to the States, asked questions, and went into medical fund-raising mode.

But one of the main things in Benson’s story was that Masha came back.

There are a lot of people who do good work, but they don’t come back, and the people there have a derogatory word for them.

Back in Africa, Masha went seeking medical help for Benson. At first, he didn’t like her because she took him to get poked and prodded with medical instruments and hands. Because of that, Benson was not a fan of Masha at the time.

In trying to help as best as she could, she got him to whatever doctor she could. She got a call from the Tanzanian Embassy and was accused of child trafficking. And on the phone was screamed at.

But it was the best thing that could have happened. From this, she was introduced to a social worker who helped her get the medical ball rolling. She was later granted guardianship by hunting down Benson’s mom. It took a while, as all you can do is put the word out in the community and wait for things to happen.

The good news was they found out that Benson had Tuberculosis, not in his lungs, where it is the normal case. Luckily, they found it in his spine. The reason for his deformity.

After a doctor’s visit one time, Benson could not stand or walk; this particular hospital did not have any wheelchairs. So with the aid of a nurse and a chair, Masha was able to get him into the back seat of a taxi and go home. The only thing he could do was lie over her lap until he felt better.

After pretending to be nurses with friends one day, Masha was able to get a back brace for Benson to help and start the healing process. Then he was put into a HALO and hung by it for days to help his back get straighter. He hated that. But in the end, it is what worked best for him.

There were times when Masha had to go back to the States, because she also had a life there. But she always came back to Benson.

Benson recovered like he was Wolverine. Instead of months, it was weeks. Now he was eating regularly and staying in a group home, and began going back to school.

Benson now has hope where he didn’t have any before. Now he is dreaming. He wants to be a doctor like the ones who helped him.

He has been exposed to technology, like an iPad, and skiing. He’s got to see the ocean for the first time. He is swimming in a pool.

The only thing Benson wants to do today is be a kid. And go back to school, play, and not be in pain.

Masha became Benson’s hope for his future. Now, because of her, he can stand tall. And the world is waiting for him.

Benson’s Hope: Dreaming to stand tall.

Trailer Link: & IMDB LINK:

OUR MISSION IS TO ARRANGE AND FUND LIFE-SAVING SPINAL SURGERIES FOR CHILDREN OF EAST AFRICA.

ONCE HEALTHY, CHILDREN ARE OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATION, HOUSING, AND ANY OTHER NEEDS, PROVIDING A PATHWAY FOR THEM TO STAND TALL.

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