Awareness

In an effort to promote awareness of international health issues, we would like to recommend a variety of books and films highlighting various countires and health needs. Some are more directly related to healthcare than others, but all are worth the time to read and watch.

 

Documentaries

A Powerful Noise

A documentary following three women in Mali, Vietnam and Bosnia who work tireslessly to bring lasing change to their communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Walk to Beautiful

A truly touching film following women in rural Ethiopia suffering form obstetric fistulas and the hospital dedicated to their recovery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Born into Brothels

This film follows a photographer as she attempts to help children born in the brothels of Mumbai by moving into the red light district and teaching the children photography. Born into Brothels gracefully shows the challenges faced by these children and the difficulties of helping them dream of a life outside the brothels.

 

 

 

 

 

Children of War

Children of War seeks to demonstrate the terrible pychological effects that war has on children by following three children in Uganda who have been rescued from the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group that has thrived on the child soldier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emmanuel’s Gift

Emmanuel’s Gift tells the store of a young man born with a disability in Ghana and his refusal to let his diability define who he is. This inspirational tale follows Emmanuels as he decides to ride his bike across Ghana to show his country that people with disabilities are not limited by their conditions but are capable to accomplishing their dreams just like anyone else.

 

 

 

 

 

I Am Because We Are

This film demonstrates a beautiful truth: the connectedness of people across all countries and cultures. Narrated by Madona, I Am Because We Are demonstrates the devastating effects HIV and AIDS has had on Malawi and the beauty the irrepressible human spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

Invisible Chilren

Invisible Children is product of an accidental discovery made by three adventure-seeking young men in northern Uganda. It tells the story of thousand night-commuting children who flock to urban areas every night in order to escape capture by rebel soldiers of the LRA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s A Girl

This documentary tells the tragic reality of being born a girl in many parts of the world. Filmed mainly in China and India, It’s A Girl sadly describes how many girls are eliminated at birth in countries where males are valued above females.

 

 

 

Motherland Afghanistan

This film follows an OB/GYN as he attempts to return to his country of birth in order to work in a government hospital and the challenges he faces there. It also demonstrates some of the challenges faced by women in Afghanistan, one of the most dangerous places in the world to deliver a baby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Woman, No Cry

No Woman, No Cry follows women in Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Guatemala highlighting the needs for improved maternal health care and some of the simple solutions that have made significant improvements in women’s health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Human Experience

This film is an inspirational story about two brothers who decide that they want more out of life. They chose to spend a week living with the homeless on the streets of New York City, followed by volunteering in an orphanage and hospital for children in Peru, and ending with a trip to Ghana where they learn about life for those living with AIDS and Leprosy.

 

 

 

 

 

Triage: Dr. James Orbinski’s Humanitarian Dilema

Triage tells the story of Dr. Orbinski, former director of Doctors Without Borders and the time he spent in Somalia and Rwanda. His experience as a physician during the Rwandan genocide provides one of the most insightful perspectives on the condition of humanitarian aid and medical relief today.

 

 

 

 

 

War Dance

War Dance documents a school in northern Uganda that is participating in a national music competition. The small school is run in a refugee camp occupied by villagers who have been displaced from their homes by the LRA. The film focuses on three children whose lives have been devastated by the LRA and the healing they have found in music and dance.