I couldn’t agree more with Diane Mariechild when she said, A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.
In 2016, I met tens of African women who are successful in transforming their communities in the most admirable subtle and feminine ways. What is more impressive is that majority of them are under thirty. How cool for Africa.
Pascale Gabriella Serra was born and bred in the Central African Republic. I have to tell you she is very well poised, soft yet very opinionated and with a big and focused vision. She was exposed to different cultures by her father who encouraged her to read and a mother whose second name was classical music.
At the age of 17, Pascale moved to Benin to further her studies. One day as she was leaving work she met a woman who changed her life. The woman approached her and requested her to host a show she was producing. The lady particularly admired Pascale’s perfect vocal intonation, diction, eloquence and beauty. (In my Godly word and world, that lady is called a destiny connector).
Young and adventurous Pascale agreed and became the host of a documentary show at LC2 Nedias TV channel in Cotonou, Benin for three years. The show involved documenting foreigners and their various cultures in Benin. Pascale was also involved in producing, field work and editing of the show.
By visiting her motherland, she came to the realization of the gap existing in the film industry and decided to pursue a course in film making at Le Conservatoire libre du cinéma français (CLCF) in Paris. France was another phase of learning to be dependent.
She was utterly shocked by how people usually talked about Europe being an easy life of fine dining and visiting romantic sites- not so for her. She had to work and she greatly appreciated because it built her as a leader and gave her focus on her vision.
Having been born and growing up in French speaking countries, Pascale wanted to perfect her English. After three years in France, she joined her sister in South Africa and enrolled for an English speaking course. She later worked at Golfe Télévision in Cotonou, Benin, had an internship in film making in New York and pursued a Diploma in Communications at the Université IUT Paris Descartes in Paris.
Pascale later went back home to Central African Republic and dived in to film making with a focus on education and reconciliation. This was in partnership with various donors which made her feel useful and was a confirmation of her purpose.
Pascale is the founder of Illustro (light up) whose main objective is to tell positive African stories through documentaries made by African youth aged 12-15 years. Her vision is to create a love and appreciation for film, create an archive center and culture in her country.
She is the brain behind project Londo (stand up) that had the backing of the French Corporation and the ministry of education in CAR. The campaign involves 38 people classified in to 6’s who document their neighborhood stories. This project aims to bring down the huge walls currently existing in CAR in matters murder and terrorism.
Pascale is currently in the last phase of a documentary about refugees and internally displaced persons, ZONE III which premieres in a few months at various film festivals around the world.
When she made it for YALI RLC 2016, she was beyond excited. The leadership program enhanced her interpersonal and leadership skills.
I have made great connections with amazing young African leaders who are fearlessly transforming their communities. The business and entrepreneurship track changed my perspectives as a social entrepreneur. I am now a proud and well informed young African leader.
I always encourage young people to apply for as many opportunities as they can. To start small because that’s how you grow and go beyond boarders and collaborate. Have a vision that scares you. African film makers should also tell African stories, we have such rich cultures and yet what is out there is mostly negative.
Pascale is working to be a renowned African documentary film maker. She intends to build a movie theatre, launch campus TV- a work in progress and offer training for thousands of young film makers in CAR in the next 10 years.
If we never had the courage to take a leap of faith, we’d be cheating God out of a chance to mount us up with wings like eagles and watch us soar. Jen Stephens, The Heart’s Journey Home.
