Maranatha Hay wins World Nomads travel documentary scholarship.
Maranatha Hay, public relations specialist for University relations, won the World Nomads Travel Documentary Scholarship. It is a worldwide competition and is affiliated with National Geographic (Nat Geo) Adventure.
On July 18th, World Nomads announced her reward: a work assignment to the Mai Chau Valley in Vietnam. In addition to making her own three-minute documentary, which will be seriously considered for broadcast on Nat Geo Adventure, Ms. Hay will work alongside seasoned documentary filmmaker Trent O’donnell, who will mentor her film from start to finish.
“This is a dream come true for me. I think every filmmaker dreams of having something they created broadcast on Nat Geo Adventure, and now I have that opportunity. I feel so blessed,” says Ms. Hay.
The competition required her to compile a short video documentary based on the theme “Journey into an Unknown Culture.” Her video, a three-minute version of her short documentary “Baby Blue,” features the Loma Linda University Overseas Heart Surgery Team and its trip to Alexandria, Egypt, in November of 2008.
According to the competition judges, “It was an incredibly emotional roller-coaster of a film that was remarkably powerful and moving for such a short piece. Maranatha's written application was also excellent. A great effort by a filmmaker with enormous potential.”
“Baby Blue” features an Egyptian baby undergoing heart surgery—a procedure with a dreary outlook in that country. Only half of the babies survive. The documentary will be hitting the festival circuit soon. For more information regarding the LLU documentary visit the film’s website at www.babybluethemovie.com.
On August 22, Ms. Hay will travel to northern Vietnam with a group of doctors from Seattle Community College. While there, the medical team will establish a clinic in a rural H’mong community and medical services will be provided to more than 500 people. Many have never seen a doctor. The trek includes hiking though tropical rainforest, kayaking along the majestic Ha Long Bay, and sleeping in traditional homestays with no electricity or running water.
“This is going to be the adventure of a lifetime,” says Ms. Hay. “I don’t think I’ve ever stayed anywhere quite that rural. It’s so exciting!”
The office of University relations produces “Loma Linda 360˚,” a broadcast show that takes viewers straight to the action of Loma Linda University and LLU Medical Center. It airs on five different channels, including the PBS affiliate KVCR, and Loma Linda Broadcasting Network. The show can also be viewed on its website www.llu.edu/360 and YouTube.
By Patricia Thio
The following is a short clip of “Baby Blue”.
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