JJ(Je Eun) Shim

This is a short animation about the real situation in Katanga, which is a big southern province in Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa.

The province has the world richest mineral repository like Cobalt, Copper and Tantalum. These minerals are the most important ingredients of Li-ion battery that is in your mobile phone and laptops. More than a half rechargeable li-ion batteries are made with the labour of Congo miners including children as young as seven.

I want to notify the world of the tragic reality.  That’s my motivation of making this film.

When I first read the report about the child labour and abuse in DRC, I was very shocked. Because my life was heavily relying on mobile devices. I counted how many  mobiles and laptops I have purchased so far - total 20 mobile phones and 5 laptops with numerous other portable electronic devices that have li-ion rechargeable battery.

I felt a sense of guilt because of the fact that I’ve ignored the truth. I even didn’t want to know where minerals of the battery come from. I believe most of you in this room are the same as I was.  We only want to see the positive future about electronic technologies leaving the dark side behind.

I hope this film could wake you up and make you to aware of the real story of the poor children in DRC.