“Girl Rising” Screened at Azure Hills Church

The Fellowship Hall of the Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church was filled with members of the community as the church held a film screening in honor of International Day of the Girl. On Saturday evening, Oct. 12, the church screened a documentary that doubled as a global action campaign entitled “Girl Rising.” The film shared the story of nine young women from around the world who have dealt with various hardships including forced marriage, domestic slavery and sex trafficking. Despite their circumstances, each of these nine women shared a common dream: receiving an education. According to Azure Hills Youth Pastor Dante Marruffo, “Girl Rising” was chosen for the screening to help spread awareness of these issues that many endure on a daily basis. “I think many people who live here in the United States don’t have an idea [that this is] going on out there, and I think that they need to be aware of how blessed we are having any kind of education,” said Marruffo. Before the screening, Child and Family Pastor Patty Marruffo monitored a complimentary snack bar, which provided chips, soda and other treats to snack on during the film. Patty Marruffo explained that all provided snacks were complimentary, and many attendees offered donations that were used to cover the costs of providing the film. “Girl Rising” provided many facts relating to young women, education, and child abuse: according to the film, around the world, there are 33 million fewer girls than boys in primary school, and, in addition, a child born to a literate mother is 50 percent more likely to live past the age of five. Event attendee Raewyn Hankins shared her thoughts and feelings about the film. “The stories were moving and some of the statistics were shocking,” said Hankins. But, she explained, she saw a silver lining. “I feel like even though there were many dark statistics, the stories were full of hope and encouragement.” After the film screening Dante Marruffo spoke words of encouragement and challenged the audience to help spread awareness of these issues, and to take them into consideration in their own daily lives.