The Heavy Burden of Hope - Girls Education in the Developing World: Amy Benson at TEDxMonterey

Education is profoundly changing the lives of women in the developing world, except when it doesn't. In her impassioned TEDxMonterey talk, documentary filmmaker Amy Benson recounts her transformative experience on assignment for an international NGO to capture the impact of education scholarships for girls in Nepal. Her current documentary film project, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, tells the story of a Nepali girl, Shanta, her family, and the complexities of global development.

Amy Benson left an ultra-rewarding 10-year teaching career, to co-found Nonfiction Media, a production company in Seattle, with her storytelling husband, Scott Squire. She has shot and edited over 25 films telling the stories of nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest, Africa and Asia. She is passionate about telling the stories of girls and women around the world. Amy is currently directing and producing, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, her first feature length documentary film, expected to be released early 2015. More information about the project:

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)