Raising awareness of poverty on $1.25 a day

10/20/2011 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

Three men who survived on $1.25 a day, while trying to raise awareness poverty in the United States, Europe and Africa will speak and show their documentary at William Woods University.

Rob Lehr, Dan Parris and David Peterka will visit campus Monday, Oct. 24, to show and talk about their documentary, “Give a Damn?”  The film will be shown at 7 p.m. in the library auditorium.

Peterka will also speak at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the library auditorium about the non-profit organization he founded called “When the Saints.” He will also share his experiences on his travels throughout Africa since the making of the documentary and his fight to defend, rescue and maintain the rights of the weak, poor and oppressed.

Both events are sponsored by the International Justice Mission (IJM) and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Tammy Carter, IJM adviser and director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said, “I wanted to show what people in the United States and around the world go through on a daily basis.” 

While working on the documentary, Parris and Lehr were in a single engine plane, getting some aerial shots of the slums in Africa, when it crashed. They survived, but the pilot was killed on impact. Despite the plane crash, they decided to continue with their mission and finish the movie.

“Give a Damn?” was meant to raise awareness of the lack of human rights of not just those in Africa, but those oppressed and poor who are right here in our own country. One of the messages “Give a Damn?” sends is what happens everywhere, happens to us; we are all connected.

The three men thought about others at a time in their lives when people their age were thinking of getting married and starting a career.

 “It is important for everyone to understand that no matter their financial situation, there is always something they can do to help those who may be less fortunate.” Carter said.

For more information, contact Carter at tamara.carter@williamwoods.edu or 573-592-4358.