About Rachel Johnson

Rachel Johnson is the Director of Project Development for the Touch A Life Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of exploited and trafficked children in West Africa and Southeast Asia. She lives in Dallas, TX.

Gathr: Theater On Demand

April 22, 2013 by Rachel Johnson

While researching places where we could go to see “Girl Rising,” we stumbled upon Gathr, a brand new service that allows movie-goers to bring films they want to see to venues in their neighborhoods. Gathr is unique because it provides viewers who want to see lesser-known films – take “Girl Rising” as an example – the opportunity not only to see the flicks they want but also to expose them to audiences in their communities. As Gathr’s website says, “It’s what we like to call TOD (Theater on Demand).” The catch is this: screenings can only happen if a minimum number of moviegoers reserve their tickets before a screening request’s time limit runs out.

So how, exactly, does Gathr work? Here’s what you need to do:

First, search for the film that you’re looking for on Gathr’s website. Once you’ve located the screening page for your movie, select the theater nearest you where you’d like to see the film.

Next, reserve or buy your ticket. There are two types of situations on Gathr’s website: those films where the screening hasn’t yet met its minimum reservations required, and those films that have. For the former, reserve your ticket—prices are usually $10 per ticket, which is less than a feature film ticket that goes for $3 or $4 more apiece. If the screening doesn’t meet the minimum (you’ll see the deadline clock ticking away on the movie’s page), your credit card won’t be charged. For films whose ticket reservations have already been met, you’ll get a GreenLight notice, which means that you can buy your tickets outright—the screening is going to happen for sure, and your credit card will be charged immediately.

So why is this service so cool, other than for the fact that it allows movie-goers to see films that they might not have the chance to see otherwise? It also provides a way for people to bring films to their communities. People—whether they’re individuals, families, social groups, or clubs—can request screenings by just filling out a bit of information. From there, they can promote the film by crazy—by printing fliers, utilizing social media, and contacting members of their community, they can be agents of change in ensuring that the film is shown.

If you’re interested in having a movie shown in your community, head to the Films section of Gathr’s website, and then select “Request a New Screening.” Fill in the details for the event and Gathr will contact you to help you arrange your screening. It’s as easy as that.

This is an incredibly innovative and cost-effective way for champions of social causes to spread the word about their work – and, more simply, for movie-goers to see more of the films they’d like to see. Check out Gathr today, and consider bringing a new movie to your community.

Image via Gathr on Facebook

Girl Rising

April 12, 2013 by Rachel Johnson

In March, we got to check out a screening of “Girl Rising,” a powerful feature film that tangibly illustrates the economical and social impacts of educating women. Academy Award-nominated director Richard E. Robbins collaborated with Vulcan Productions and Intel Corporation to bring people this documentary, a piece that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

Research shows that sending more girls to school will not only elevate them out of poverty but also that the outcome will directly benefit the communities they live in as well. Girls who are educated grow into women who can manage family finances, launch companies that improve the economy of their towns, and raise children who will become leaders in their own right. The premise of “Girl Rising,” then, is to share the stories of real young women throughout the world who have fought for their right to receive an education, thus enabling them to become agents of change in their communities.

Narrated by the likes of Meryl Streep, Freida Pinto, Cate Blanchett, and Anne Hathaway, “Girl Rising” provides great storytelling appeal for viewers. The film follows a handful of girls from all over the world (Cambodia, Haiti, Nepal, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Peru, Sierra Leone, and Afghanistan, to be exact) as they share their stories, many of which involve poverty, trafficking, prostitution, death, and heartache. Despite living in different countries and aligning their beliefs with different cultures, each girl shares the commonality of her passion for receiving an education. And by getting the chance to go to school, each girl not only improves her own life but goes on to enhance the lives of others as well.

Visit “Girl Rising’s” website to find a screening near you, and check out the film’s trailer below to learn more about this inspiring movie…

Desert Getaway: Palm Springs

March 11, 2013 by Rachel Johnson

We’re talking travel today, and we’re headed to the desert. Palm Springs, California, is a gem of town, a place where the beautiful mountains and the blue, clear skies provide the loveliest backdrop for any vacation or weekend getaway. Here are some tips to make your Palm Springs adventure everything you’ve dreamed of (and more!).

Lodging

There are a plethora of boutique hotels from which to choose when planning your stay in Palm Springs, but first consider researching sites like Airbnb and VRBO that offer house rentals for extremely affordable prices. These homes are rented out by trustworthy owners who set fair rates and provide many of the same amenities that hotels do, like well-stocked kitchens chock full of cooking appliances and fresh beach towels set out by the pool. Palm Springs is defined by the mid-century modern style of its neighborhoods, and by renting a property of your own, you can live like a local in a mid-century home of your own. By renting a house, you can save money not only on hotel fees but also by utilizing the kitchen to cook meals (and prepare happy hour beverages!) at home.

If staying at a hotel is your preferred way to travel, check out these great options:

The Ace Hotel. This hipster’s paradise is a Howard Johnson hotel-turned-relaxation station. The décor is gorgeous yet neutral, and the pool is absolute perfection—with a backdrop of the mountains, a DJ playing great music, and a server taking food and drink orders, you’ll know, without a doubt, that you are on vacation. The food at the Ace is excellent, and we especially love the barbecue station that boasts a delicious meal (your choice of freshly grilled Italian sausage, chicken, or hamburger with cole slaw and potato salad) for just $8, making it possibly the best deal in town. The rooms are comfortable and cozy, and most have outdoor living rooms situated close by so guests can post up outdoors while eating breakfast or basking in the glow of a fireplace.

The Saguaro. This colorful hotel is a truly an oasis. It’s impossible not to feel cheery when arriving at The Saguaro and taking in the multi-colored décor, both on the exterior of the hotel and in the rooms themselves. Enjoy luxurious afternoons at the pool or the spa, and take free daily yoga classes hosted by the hotel. You can also bring your furry friend – The Saguaro is pet-friendly

The Parker. The Parker is a beautiful hotel nestled in the corner off of one of Palm Spring’s main drags. The grounds are truly a sight to behold; guests can get lost in the maze of delicately pruned hedges, plants, and succulents, all while sipping a cold beverage or snacking on a fresh orange (bowls of fruit are placed around the grounds for guests to enjoy). The talented Jonathan Adler designed the interior of the hotel, so guests will marvel over the gorgeous details of the space. The restaurants are frequented by hotel guests and Palm Springs natives alike (see below for a review of one of our favorites) and both the spa and the pool are peaceful havens in which vacationers can relax.

Dining + Drinking

There are so many delicious dining and drinking options in Palm Springs. Take a peek at a list of our favorites.

Copley’s. This delightful spot is located in part of Cary Grant’s former estate. It’s a great place for dinner—the menu is beautifully cultivated and the wine list is extensive. Try to snag a reservation outdoors, as the grounds are lovely and the fire pits will keep you warm on cool evenings.

Norma’s. There is no better spot for brunch in town than Norma’s, located in The Parker. Be prepared to shell out some major cash but know that it will be worth it—the menu is creative and fantastic, featuring signature items like waffles stuffed with fruit and down-home crave-worthy options like eggs benedict. Be sure to make a reservation, as the wait for a table at Norma’s is notoriously long. Enjoy a mimosa while eating brunch – and keep your eyes peeled, because you might spot a celebrity or two.

Trio. Trio is a great place for drinks and appetizers or dinner. The menu is fresh (we love the Brussels sprouts salad) and the cocktails list is fabulous. Make reservations in advance.

Cheeky’s. This low-key spot is a resident favorite for brunch or lunch. Cheeky’s serves dishes made with seasonal, locally grown, organic ingredients, and the staff prides themselves on making their own batters, sauces, and dressings. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal at Cheeky’s without feeling overly indulgent.

King’s Highway. This is another fantastic brunch or lunch spot. Located inside the Ace Hotel, this restaurant is housed inside a restored Denny’s establishment, giving it a fun, diner-y feel. The food is fresh and tasty, and it covers a range of tastes. King’s Highway serves the best hummus plate we’ve ever had (enjoyed with toasty naan, juicy cucumbers and tomatoes, and chunks of marinated feta cheese) and freshly roasted Stumptown Coffee.

Citron Cocktail Bar. This sultry hideaway is tucked inside the Viceroy Hotel, a tiny boutique hotel that you might just miss if you’re not looking for it. Just off the main drag, the Viceroy is a quiet and enticing gem of a place to pop into for a drink. Sip cocktails underneath twinkle lights out by the pool (the bartender whips up a mean French 75) and enjoy the mild Palm Springs weather (in the winter and spring, that is!).

Outdoor Adventures

Take advantage of the beautiful Palm Springs weather and get yourself outside for some exercise and a dose of Vitamin D.

Hike at Joshua Tree National Park. Located about an hour outside of Palm Springs is one of nature’s most breathtaking beauties: Joshua Tree National Park. The Joshua Tree, known better to plant specialists as the yucca brevifolia, thrives in the desert and has a distinct look characterized by bayonet-shaped evergreen leaves that taper to a point. There are plenty of places to hike and to camp at Joshua Tree National Park. Enjoy some fresh air and some beautiful scenery while exploring these fascinating trees.

Take a water aerobics class at the Ace Hotel. On Sundays, hop into the pool at the Ace Hotel for a fun, easygoing water aerobics class! You’re sure to giggle throughout it, and burn enough calories to enjoy a post-workout cocktail (or two).

Play golf—lots of it! Palm Springs is known for its gorgeous golf courses. It is estimated that there are nearly 300 courses in town, which means that you have plenty of options if you want to hit the links.

Take a yoga class in the park. On Saturdays, Power Yoga hosts an outdoor yoga class at a local park. Channel your inner yogi as you stretch, strengthen, and stabilize your body. Feeling bogged down by your less-than-flexible limbs? The beautiful view of the San Jacinto Mountains will distract you from the pain.

Top images via Ava + Aliria Boutique; other images by Rachel Johnson.

Runaway Girl

February 21, 2013 by Rachel Johnson

The following is a feature of a woman who has overcome the most difficult of circumstances. Rather than let those difficult times ruin her life, she chose to use her past to impact the world around her for good. We hope her story will serve to inspire you the way it inspired us!

Carissa Phelps had a lot of slumber parties growing up. But these overnighters weren’t the kind we might imagine, full of gigglefests with girlfriends, pillow fights, and late-night movies coupled with salty popcorn and sugary sodas. Instead, for years Carissa found herself shuffled between friends’ houses, always attempting to escape the wrath of her abusive stepfather and her impoverished home. Her family life was incredibly dysfunctional, and Carissa sought refuge with the families of her friends. Her mother viewed these sleepovers, these “escapes,” as Carissa’s attempt to run away, so she simply dropped her daughter off at Fresno County Juvenile Hall, 70 miles from home. This, to Carissa, felt like the beginning of the end.

Carissa felt lost, displaced, and confused as she was shuttled from one group home to another. She continually ran away from the homes and facilities she was placed in, eventually ending up on the streets at the astonishingly young age of 12. She remembers the day that she was picked up by her first pimp, a man three times her age who offered her something to eat and drink. From then on, Carissa was exploited and trafficked, a real life modern-day slave in northern California’s prostitution ring.

Life on the streets was dark, disgusting, and, sometimes, deathly. Carissa found herself once again in a county institution, this time after she stole a car at age 13. She was placed in a rehabilitative center where she received group therapy. Carissa felt that she was at her lowest point; there seemed to be no hope. That is, until, a counselor took a vested interest in her. Ron Jenkins encouraged Carissa to return to school; he could see the potential she had as well as the intelligence she possessed. It took much time for Carissa to heal but one day, she, too, could see that she had a bright future ahead of her. She had a story to tell. She just needed the platform to share it.

Carissa went to school and just as her counselor anticipated, she excelled. She proceeded on to college, and she graduated summa cum laude from California State University Fresno. But her educational path didn’t stop there. Carissa then earned a law degree from UCLA’s School of Law as well as an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. She hoped to utilize her skills to empower others and act as an advocate on behalf of the 15,000 people trafficked within the U.S. each year. And Carissa knew that there was one place in particular where she had to go to share her story to help end the cycle of modern-day trafficking—Fresno, the very place where her story began.

Carissa served as a crisis counselor and a mentor for troubled teens. She advocated on behalf of runaway and homeless children, many of who would turn to prostitution if no one could rescue them from their desperate situations, just as she had done. Carissa’s story was turned into a self-titled award-winning documentary produced by filmmaker David Sauvage. Carissa penned her memoir, a powerful reflection titled Runaway Girl. She continued sharing her story through interviews and testimonies.

If you stumbled into Carissa at a restaurant or in the grocery store, you might easily walk past her, for she appears to be like any other person—a happy, healthy, contributing member of society. And that’s her point—she is the face of human trafficking. Men, women, and children who are forced into prostitution look just like us; they could be our neighbors, our classmates, or our friends. They could be just like Carissa. They are just like Carissa.

Let us join in the fight to end abuse, neglect, and trafficking, once and for all. Learn more about how you can be involved in Carissa’s work by visiting her website.

Yoga Therapy: From Savasana to Strength

January 29, 2013 by Rachel Johnson

Those of us who have attended any kind of yoga class know that the health benefits of the practice are innumerable. While some of the postures may be difficult at first, it’s typical to leave a yoga class feeling peaceful, refreshed, and renewed. Yoga allows us to pause, meditate, stretch, think, breathe, and be.

Somewhere along the line, humanitarians realized that the aforementioned reasons provided a solid argument for why yoga should become available to suffering, struggling youth. They joined forces by introducing yoga to exploited, trafficked, and abandoned children. Many critics opposed the idea, wondering how something as (seemingly) meek as yoga could ever bring about healing in the lives of children who had been sold by their parents, forced into prostitution, and faced other incredibly difficult hardships. They argued that simple stretches and breathing exercises would never be enough to allow these broken children to truly open up and begin to heal. They were wrong.

Take yogi Hala Khouri for example. Khouri had always been passionate about yoga—she based her Master’s thesis at Columbia University on the practice, after all. She channeled her passion into purpose when she founded the yoga-based non-profit organization, Off the Mat, Into the World, alongside friends and fellow yogis, Seane Corn and Suzanne Sterling. According to the organization’s website, “OTM uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and to ignite grass roots social change. We see yogis everywhere taking their yoga off the mat into the world.” Khouri, Corn, and Sterling’s lives had all been changed by their yoga practice, and they knew fellow yogis who had experienced the same transformation. They knew that they could spread the gift of this renewal and peace if they banded together to bring it to those in need.

And band together they did. Since 2008, OTM has provided yogis with the opportunity to serve in five different countries, ranging from Uganda to Haiti, by bringing yoga to impoverished communities and suffering children. Collectively, the participants in the program have raised nearly $2 million for communities in need. They’ve witnessed incredible transformations as children have opened up, both literally and figuratively—their muscles are stretched and their hearts are softened. Yoga is a noninvasive way of encouraging individuals to express themselves, to meditate and reflect in a peaceful place. Many children who were forced to work in impoverished conditions or were sold into slavery by their parents have never known the true meaning of peace. They were always afraid, always on the run. Once they have been placed in rehabilitative care, despite their safety, they are still on edge. It takes willing, committed volunteers to help children and adults find the safety they need to communicate their fears, hopes, and dreams. Yoga creates that very environment.

Still not convinced of yoga’s therapeutic powers? Take a look a this video of Hala Khouri and her volunteers teaching a yoga clinic at a high school in Venice, CA, over the course of a few months. The video chronicles the changes that these girls, many of whom come from broken homes and troubled situations, encounter while in their yoga classes, physically and especially emotionally. Because of the safe space created through the practice, these teenage girls are able to express their fears, communicate their hopes, and verbalize their dreams.

Learn more about how you can get involved in bringing yoga to youth in need by visiting www.offthematintotheworld.org.

Image via Pinterest

The Achiever Embodied: Amie Sider

January 24, 2013 by Rachel Johnson

This is part of an ongoing series called Embodied, which features women who we feel embody some element of the persona they’re featured in. Amie (pictured on the left above) valiantly launched her own non-profit organization as a response to the desperate worldwide need for to secure vocational opportunities in order to launch them out of poverty. Read on to learn more about Amie’s non-profit and about the story that led to its creation.

Tell us about NationWares, the amazing organization you founded.

I created NationWares to function as a business with a social cause in order to break the cycle of poverty for marginalized people around the world impacted by extreme poverty, disability, and HIV/AIDS. I’ve spent 10 years in the development field and, through my experiences, I’ve found that these groups usually suffer most from multiple areas of marginalization and exclusion from any kind of aid or development. NationWares was meant to fill the gap. Fashion is the vehicle that NationWares employs to drive sustainable and creative employment for over 2,000 beneficiaries in 10 countries as they create jewelry and accessories that positively impact their society, the economy, and the environment.

You were born in Guatemala and then adopted into a Canadian home. Do you still feel tied to your Guatemalan roots?

As the 13th child born to my birth mother in Guatemala, I was the only child that she had placed within the international adoption system. I came to Canada as a six-month-old refugee and became a Canadian citizen at the age of three. As a child, I came to know my birth mother through stories and photos my parents delicately shared with me as they revealed her history of drugs, crime, and prostitution, all of which she engaged in simply as a means of survival. I returned to Guatemala on a family trip at the age of five and have been madly in love with the country and its people ever since. Since then, I have returned about 20 times and finally met my birth mother and several siblings when I was thirteen. My deeply rooted love for this country, my birth family, and the Guatemalan people grows stronger each day.

How did your upbringing in Canada shape you into the woman you’ve become?

Although Canada is a country of great privilege, my parents (who are incredibly amazing, by the way) made sure that I stayed connected to my heritage. They ensured that I never took anything for granted. I have always felt a divine obligation that has motivated me to change lives and help others escape poverty just like I did. I call it a divine obligation because I feel that God placed within me a divine calling to end poverty and create the same hope, opportunity, and love that I have experienced so that it may be shared with others who need it. I guess the obligation part is because dedicating your life to helping others certainly isn’t the easiest way to live, especially within a culture that teaches us to focus on ourselves. I have to remind myself of that calling every day. Watching lives transform around the world through NationWares is a constant reminder that I’m following the path made for me and that I was put on this earth not just to enjoy it, but to share it.

We love that NationWares provides individuals with the opportunity to find fair work. How did you decide that jewelry and accessories would be the right items to produce and sell?

I have always had a passion for fashion and creative arts. From childhood to womanhood, I’ve grown up in a society that feeds me thousands of ads a day telling me that I need certain hair, skin, makeup, clothing, products, and accessories in order to be the best version of myself. I want to show society that we can do better than what we’ve done in the past. Fashion shouldn’t cripple young girls and force them into eating disorders and seasons of self-hatred. When done right, our jewelry, accessories, and clothing cannot only be made ethically but they can also share a powerful story of hope, opportunity, and love. I’m actually working on developing a personal blog that will share my struggles in this area while also recommending other ethical sources for many of the products we frequently use on a daily basis. Any time I wear any of our NationWares products, I instantly feel connected to the person who made them. I can celebrate their success and creativity knowing that my purchase has not only helped them as an individual, but it has also helped their community and the environment.

Tell us how you’re tying the international component of employing workers around the world into your domestic component of empowering at-risk youth in Ontario, Canada.

I’ve been so blessed to speak to thousands of Canadian teens who are struggling with self-image, feeling that they have nothing to contribute to the world. They may have been adopted and they are struggling with their identity, or they are simply frustrated with our culture of consumption. Sometimes we need a reminder to focus on others instead of ourselves, a life-changing act in and of itself. Right now, our NationWares team does a lot of speaking, seminars, and workshops with schools regarding poverty, disability, HIV/AIDS, international development, and consumerism, but our goal is to be able to create educational storefronts where students and at-risk youth can work with our products hands on and also experience meaningful employment within their community.

How

do you hope to see NationWares grow in the coming years?

The sky is the limit for NationWares! I’m excited to continue to expand the scope of our fieldwork internationally. Our next big projects will continue to focus on employment and international development specifically within Latin America. I also look forward to new partnerships and relationships with stores, customers, and retailers who are interested in sharing not only our products but also the incredible passions behind them.

Just for fun—if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would love to do the whole Che Guevara thing and do a complete tour of Latin America by motorcycle (with incredibly padded seats).

Images provided by Amie

See the World and Make a Difference

January 22, 2013 by Rachel Johnson

There is nothing that we love more than a passport full of stamps, the evidence of trips and visits to exciting places all over the world. Travel is one of life’s greatest gifts, as is it allows us to step outside of our comfort zones and observe all of the rich beauty that other cultures have to offer.

These days, there are plenty of ways for us to not only see the countries and cities we’ve always dreamed of traveling to—now we can help serve the local communities we visit, too. Check out these exciting ways that we can combine our passions for travel and service.

The World Race

The World Race is a concept that was developed in 2006, born from the founders’ desire to serve those who are less fortunate, whether they live down the street or in another country. As The World Race’s website puts it, the organization offers participants “a journey to 11 countries in 11 months to serve ‘the least of these’ while amongst real and raw community.” Travelers head to places including Rwanda, South Africa, Romania, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Malaysia, and Bolivia. Projects and activities range from teaching classes to children and building homes to shopping for groceries for the elderly and spending time with orphans. Participants are able to more intimately know the communities they visit and the cities they explore because, through service, they’ve entered into relationships with the people they’ve met. After they spend 30 days in each community, they more fully grasp the culture and the values of the people. Their worldview is expanded and, in some small way, the community they’ve served is changed for the better.

Cross-Cultural Solutions

Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS) is a non-profit organization that provides long-term service opportunities for participants. Travelers can select from a list of 12 countries, as well as from a corresponding list of needs, and apply to serve for a period of time in a specific location in order to complete a project that will benefit the local community. The Volunteer Abroad Program allows travelers to serve for time periods as short as two weeks to as long as 12 weeks. The Intern Abroad Program allows for similar windows of time, and the Insight Abroad Program is perfect for volunteers who can only leave their jobs or their families for one week. There are many projects to from which volunteers can choose, including educating at-risk youth, supporting and providing for people with HIV/AIDS, and empowering women through business development and personal relationships. CCS proudly partners with grassroots organizations in each country where they work, ensuring that they are wholly committed to investing in the communities they support.

Semester at Sea

Semester at Sea is not commonly known for its service opportunities—moreover, it’s applauded for the way it introduces college students to places all over the world via cruise ship—but many participants revolve their on-shore activities around chances to positively impact the communities they are exploring. As the name indicates, this opportunity is solely for students, but it’s an excellent way to see many places throughout the world in a short amount of time. While in each country, students have the opportunity to participate in field labs and field programs, both of which allow the learners to step outside of their comfort zones and expand their worldviews. Many of these experiences revolve around service, thus allowing students to give their time and their resources to those who are less fortunate. These service opportunities create rich, meaningful experiences in the countries that the participants visit. The students assist in changing the lives of those they help in some small way, surely, but certainly the lives of the students themselves are the ones that are changed the most.

Image via Pinterest

Documentaries that Make a Difference

January 5, 2013 by Rachel Johnson

It’s hard to find a better way to unwind than by relaxing and watching a great film. Movies take us to new places and allow us to experience new things, all while letting us remain in the comfort of our homes. They allow us to get outside of ourselves and learn about the rest of the world, right from our living rooms. Documentaries have the same effect—they challenge us to reassess our values and they motivate us to take action on behalf of what inspires us. Humanitarian documentaries, in particular, force us to confront harsh realities about the world we live in, and they inspire us to make a difference in the lives of others.

Here are a few humanitarian documentaries that we think are worth watching. Grab some popcorn and a refreshing beverage, and get ready to take in these compelling flicks:

Waste Land
Artist Vik Muniz sought to use his photographic skills to document life in Jardim Gramacho, the world’s largest garbage dump, located just outside of Rio de Janeiro. Though this landfill was finally closed in June (after 34 years of operation), it served (and some speculate that it still serves) as a hub for “pickers” to sort through the garbage as a means of survival. When Muniz arrived in this Brazilian city to document this phenomenon, his vision was to photograph the pickers and make them the focal point of one of his paintings. But as he got to know the amazing stories of the pickers, he couldn’t help but get involved in their lives on a deeper level. This documentary highlights the union between the therapeutic powers of art and the quirky charm of the human race.

God Grew Tired of Us
This riveting documentary follows the lives of three “Lost Boys” of Sudan who leave their country as refugees to pursue their dreams of living better lives in the United States. Orphaned by the horrific civil war in Sudan, the three young men leave all that they have ever known in hopes of finding work, safety, and purpose in a new country. The film documents the culture shock each young man experiences upon entering the U.S., highlighting the lack of preparation they had before leaving their homeland. In the midst of their struggles, they never cease to remain committed to their loved ones back in Sudan, promising to use the money they earn to help them so that one day, they, too, may be able to live better lives. But are these three young men truly living better lives? The film explores this underlying theme, calling into question what actually makes a life better—the promise of financial and physical security, or living in proximity to those you love.

War Dance
This powerful documentary showcases a dance troupe in northern Uganda comprised of children who were abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army and forced to either become sex slaves or child soldiers. After many years of living in fear, the children finally found safety in local schools and refugee camps. Despite the atrocities they had already confronted at such a young age, they seized every opportunity they had to sing and dance. It is difficult to reconcile the chilling personal accounts each child had of murder, rape, abuse, and war with the joy, grace, and happiness they demonstrate when they gathered together in their dance troupe. Viewers will be riveted by the juxtaposition of the children’s tragic testimonies with their beautiful, passionate dance performances.

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