Educational Media Reviews Online

Filmed in Senegal, this short video examines a new facet of modern urban society in many underdeveloped countries. In Dakar, the women are forming collectives, much like savings and credit associations, to help each other economically, financially, and educationally. These collectives are officially called Roscas and are also called tontines by the participants. The women contribute a set amount from their earnings and at different intervals, one of them is selected to get this "prize." This large amount of capital allows them to invest in their enterprise or buy some much needed items for their families, i.e. health care, clothing, etc. These women raise their families' standard of living by raising and selling food crops or making handicrafts.

The video uses subtitles for the interviews so viewers hear the women express themselves in their own language. Quite a bit of the video shows the poverty of these people and how business is conducted in Dakar. Both the photography and audio are high quality. These people cannot make it on their own nor do they get help from the government, but the strength of the collective, the Rosca, helps them survive. Appropriate for viewers of high school age and above, this video is a valuable multi-cultural learning experience. Highly recommended.