Angel from Soweto

Since she opened her school, Ithuteng Trust, in 1997, Jacqueline Maarohanye—known to her students as Mama Jackey—has helped and inspired more than 6,000 children in the township of Soweto. Many of Soweto's children become victims of violent crime at an early age. For many of these forgotten youth, Mama Jackey's school is the only safe haven from rapists, gang members and murderers.

According to the Ebersols' research, Ithuteng Trust is the only school in Africa with a 100 percent graduation rate. Nelson Mandela has called Mama Jackey the "angel of Soweto."

Charlie Ebersol was the first to meet Mama Jackey and her students when he visited South Africa during his junior year of college. He promised them that he would return to tell their stories through film.