Continuing Production on "Zambian Forge"

I have decided that, even though I am now back in the USA, I am going to continue using this blog to post production notes for the refugee film project, still under the working title "Zambian Forge". So keep a continuing watch on this site to see how it is proceeding.

This film documents a group of Americans, primarily university students, who spend 6 weeks volunteering at UNHCR refugee settlements. The volunteer organization is the "World Refugee Academy" (WRA) and the program's name is "FORGE". The unique part of this program is that the volunteers not only donate their time, but also design the programs put into place, and fundraise the capital to make the programs possible. The programs implemented and covered in the documentary are:

1. A library was built at the high school in the refugee settlement, with over 20,000 volumes shipped from the USA.. the largest in NW Zambia or southern Angola.

2. A community education program and sports league. Football, Netball, and Basketball courts are built throughout the settlement, equipment is provided, and teams are organized into leagues. The program not only teaches young refugees about physical education, but draws members of the high school to the games to teach to the participants and community members assembled.

3. HIV/AIDS education.

4. A "Women's Empowerment" group.

5. This documentary! :) Not only did I cover the Forge volunteers and their activities, but I also documented many of the refugees I met and aid worked from organizations such as UNHCR.

If you are interested, you can learn more about the WRA and Forge here:
http://www.worldrefugeeacademy.org/

Thanks!
David