When the pioneering Lawhill Maritime Centre at Simon’s Town School marked its 30th anniversary late last year with the screening of a special documentary, CHILDREN OF OURS, there was one extra story contributed to the milestone… the the documentary was produced, not by an agency but pro bono by 20-year-old UCT film student Lex Owen. Son of the programme’s long-serving head, Debbie Owen.
The result is Children of Ours, a 30-minute documentary honouring the success of this one-of-a-kind programme, the visionaries behind it and the community who have supported it. Produced with an insight that only someone who has heard, seen and ‘lived’ the Lawhill story could achieve: Lex has ‘shared’ this mother with hundreds of learners over the decades as she – along with her team – have helped guide the Lawhill students. Many from disadvantaged homes. They have thrived, many going on to become the first in their families to study, learn to swim and sail, travel and secure careers in the local or global maritime industry.
Over a two-week period, Lex travelled around the country to film, interview, edit and produce Children of Ours, with no crew, capturing the voices of alumni, founders, donors and educators. It’s a tribute to an award-winning educational programme that has changed hundreds of young South Africans’ lives and helped them move into global maritime careers.
Documentary like these are usually produced by corporates however, Children of Ours is a personal journey for Lex as he honours his mom, the programme and the vision. It reminds us that the power of storytelling is not always commercial. Sometimes it’s a simple act of paying it forward or ‘lifting others as we rise’ which is Lawhill’s motto.
Watch the documentary here.