Terms of Reference – Generation Rwanda/Kepler 20^th anniversary documentary

ABOUT KEPLER:

Kepler is a leading education-to-employment organization that is building a transformative model of higher education-to-employment for young people across the region. Through a rigorous curriculum of in-person, online and on-the-job learning, Kepler students graduate with the relevant skills and the right attitude to meet the needs of the changing region and global economy. For our degree programs, we partner with Southern New Hampshire University - a global leader in competency based higher education - which allows our students to attain affordable, internationally recognized degrees while studying at Kepler. In 2022, we started offering bachelor’s degrees as a locally accredited university in Rwanda, Kepler College. We continue to build partnerships for degrees and skills to prepare Africa’s youth for the skills and competencies of today and tomorrow’s jobs and opportunities.

Since 2013, our 70+ staff currently has served nearly 1,000 students to date across two campuses in Rwanda – our flagship campus in Kigali, as well as a second campus in the Kiziba refugee camp in Western Rwanda, where we serve refugee learners. Over 90% of our graduates are employed by six months after their graduation.

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Kepler will launch a documentary that delves into the extraordinary journeys of three of its successful alumni. This documentary aims to showcase the transformative power of education, shedding light on the challenges they overcame, the triumphs they achieved, and the impact they make in their communities and beyond.

Documentary structure:

The documentary should explore the following themes:

1. Introduction: Early Life and Challenges

• Portray the alumni's challenging early life circumstances, their childhood (specifically for Orphans of Rwanda), sharing how their lives were impacted by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, invoke empathy and emotional connection with viewers.

2. Personal transformation: Empowerment Through Education

• Share interviews of alumni expressing gratitude, showcasing the transformative power of education in overcoming adversity. Introduce GR/Kepler’s pivotal role in providing education, mentorship, and resources, while highlighting specific programs and initiatives enabled by donors, illustrating direct impacts on the alumni's lives.

3. Lives Today vs. Past: From Struggles to Success

• Contrast alumni's current successes and contributions with their past struggles, highlighting the impact of GR/Kepler’s intervention. Feature interviews with both old and new donors, showcasing the transformation of lives and communities. Include testimonials from alumni, teachers, and mentors, highlighting the importance of donor contributions.

4. Success and Impact: Celebrating Achievements

• Celebrate alumni achievements, presenting tangible outcomes like academic excellence, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. Attribute alumni's success to donor support, illustrating the direct connection between contributions and positive changes.

5. Call to Action: Building a Brighter Future Together

• End with a call to action, inviting new donors to support Kepler’s mission, future vision and goals, detailing how new donors can contribute to expanding current impact. Appeal to viewers to become new donors and partners. Provide clear instructions on how to donate, sponsor a student, or support specific programs.

Visual Style and tone:

• Length: 30-55 minutes
• Use visually striking imagery and emotionally resonant storytelling techniques to engage viewers, with an inspirational yet non-promotional tone.
• Incorporate before-and-after visuals (childhood photos vs current videos) to highlight the transformative journey of the alumni.
• Include interviews with early founders (who are in the US) and the CEO, outlining Kepler’s vision for the next 20 years and the transformative impact it aims to achieve with new donors' help.
  
  Duration: The assignment will last 3 months be starting from January 2024. 

Experience requirements and documents to submit: 

• Company overview
• Portfolio work in similar work
• Plan for production process including storyboard and subtitling
• Team members in charge of documentary production process (specify background and capabilities)
• Outsourced tasks
• Pricing 

Deadline to apply: Please share a portfolio with all information included by December 6th, 2023 at 5pm  to Stephanie Gasana  stephanie@kepler.org