WAGING PEACE: The Peace Corps Experience (Sierra Leone)

 WAGING PEACE: The Peace Corps Experience

A film by Allen Mondell (Sierra Leone 1963-65)

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I was a Peace Corps teacher in Sierra Leone from 1963-65. For the past 50 years I’ve been a documentary filmmaker. WAGING PEACE: The Peace Corps Experience tells our stories through letters, journals, emails and blogs combined with the profiles of four former Volunteers whose work today shows the enduring impact of these experiences on their own lives and the lives of others.

At times hilariously funny, and at other times grimly sad, WAGING PEACE is full of perceptive insights into sacrifice and hardship, courage and defeat—and, ultimately, hope. At a time when society desperately relies on volunteerism, WAGING PEACE is an inspiring call to other Americans, young and old, to cross cultural lines in order to discover a new awareness of the world and, in the end, to wage peace.

You can watch the trailer at https://vimeo.com/44961049.

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Here is what some have said about the film:

“If Sargent Shriver, the founding director of the Peace Corps, were here to see this film his heart would leap up and want the world to see it. The different stories Allen Mondell brings to life in this extraordinary film, shows that the Peace Corps is a case of e pluribus unum: out of more than 200,000 experiences around the globe there is one Corps that in a fundamental way is indeed waging peace.”

Harris Wofford — former U.S. Senator and Associate Director of the Peace Corps

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“As a returned Peace Corps Volunteer myself I was very moved by Allen Mondell’s clever, funny and enlightening documentary. Mondell follows the exploits and the subsequent lives of several Volunteers through five decades.  The uplifting message of cultural understanding and joy in the sharing of life and work comes out strongly and consistently in these beautiful stories.”

Dave Owens — Associate Dean of the Graduate School, College of Charleston

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“.  . . an eye opening, attention getting portrayal of the life-long influence of the Peace Corps experience not only on those served but on those who serve.  Watching it, one can’t help but be moved by example after example of how each of us can indeed make a positive difference in the lives of the rest of us.”

Rick Carson — Family Therapist & author of Taming Your Gremlin

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“You captured the look and feel of the Peace Corps experience while making it apply to everyone by following several RPCVs as they continue serving after their PC tenure. I believe your film will not only inspire young and old to give Peace Corps a try, but it will encourage those viewing it to find ways to serve their fellowman. “

Joel Robbins — Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, teacher and author

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The DVD includes three separate sections: The Documentary; An Interview with John Coyne (Ethiopia 1962–64), writer and Peace Corps historian; and a Panel Discussion featuring RPCV writers Peter Hessler (China 1996–98), Marnie Mueller(Ecuador 1963–65), Mary-Ann Tirone Smith (Cameroon 1965–67)  and Paul Theroux (Malawi 1963–65)

You can find our more information about the film and the purchase price at www.mediaprojects.org.