Phill Predendeville
BACKGROUND
Phill Prendeville has been helping Umu for the past fourteen years and running 'The Umu Foundation' for well over a decade.
Phill is a documentary maker / photographer and founder of https://www.umbrellafilmsnz.com/
Presently Phill is working towards incorporating The Umu Foundation as a registered charity.
For many years Phill travelled the world making documentaries and TV Commercials for international children's charity, ChildFund.
In 2008 on assignment in Sierra Leone, Phill met Umu. Umu became the face of the campaign he was working on to raise funds for the forgotten girl soldiers of the civil war. Umu's story also featured on the current affairs programme '60 Minutes' which Phill worked for as a producer.
Umu. The face of the campaign used to raise awareness and funds for the plight of young girls forced to become child soldiers.
Umu's story had a profound affect on Phill, after filming and hearing her story, he left his contact details and told her to contact him if she ever needed help. Two years later he received an email from Umu.
Phill and his family initially supported Umu and her family privately, however as Umu's dream to become a lawyer became a reality more funds were required.
As a film-maker and from many years working for child welfare charities, Phill knew that when people heard Umu's story they would want to help her. The Umu Foundation was set up to share Umu's story and channel contributions directly back to her.
From the incredible generosity of friends and supporters The Umu Foundation has been able to support Umu and her family as she has worked for and obtained a Law degree and been accepted to the bar. We are presently raising funds for Umu so she can conduct and complete her PhD 'Women in conflict" at Auckland University.
There are many other exceptional young women that we want and can help to fulfil their dreams. Umu is the first, she has shown us how it is done and taught us the best ways to do it.
The foundation's goal is to empower many more passionate and talented, young, less-privileged women like Umu with higher education and the means to become self-sufficient as they strive to fulfil their potential.
Phill shooting in Sierra Leone. 2016