Aardman Animations and Bristol Charity ‘Deki’ have released a special 70 second film entitled ‘Brigitte, Bruno and Ben’. The short film created by the makers of Wallace & Gromit demonstrates through animation how a loan of just Ł10 can change the lives of an entire family in the developing world.
Brigitte, Bruno and Ben tells the story of Ben in the ‘developed world’, who helps Brigitte in the ‘developing world’ by directly lending her just Ł10 through the website Deki.org.uk. Previously Brigitte struggled to feed her family on less than 80p a day.
This film has been written to tell a unique story in a way that provokes action and will inspire positive change. In creating animated content Deki emotionally engages the viewer, as well as presents evidence of the effect a loan can have. The film is written and animated by Lucy Izzard for Aardman and aims to connect with a large range of people from all ages and backgrounds.
Nick Park of Aardman, who is also a Deki Patron said in a statement; “It is a great privilege to work alongside Deki to help promote their worthwhile fundraising campaign. Lucy Izzard has done a beautiful job of telling the Deki story in a simple and engaging way that I hope will encourage people to support the work that Deki do so well.”
Deki is a Bristol microfinance charity that provides ethical loans and business training to people in the developing world enabling them to work their way out of poverty. Deki believes everybody should have the opportunity to earn a living to support themselves and their families.
Deki connects individual lenders in the UK (and overseas) and gives them the opportunity to lend from as little as Ł10 to a chosen entrepreneur. With an average loan of around Ł200 several people will lend to each entrepreneur. The website displays pictures and profiles of entrepreneurs who want to borrow money to set up or expand small businesses.
100 per cent of all money lent goes directly to entrepreneurs, and lenders are paid back over 12 months – the money can then be withdrawn or re-lent to another entrepreneur. Even a small initial investment can help a number of people raise themselves out of poverty. Deki currently works in Malawi, South Sudan and Ghana.