Schools for Salone

Movie Poster

(Click to see the Movie Trailer)

Free Movie Screening
held on Saturday, April 25 at
Des Moines United Methodist Church
in Des Moines, WA 98198

This documentary film tells the story of what happens to a group of musicians deep in Guinea, where they had fled the tragedies of the civil war (1991-2002) in Sierra Leone. The film documents the refugee emergency from the prolonged wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia. While it shows the physical and mental struggles of war, it also documents the tenacity of the human spirit. Music becomes the outlet to tell their stories; provides an escape from their day-to-day struggles; and creates joy whenever the Refugee All Stars play.

Cindy and the All Stars in 2007

The filmmakers, Zach Niles and Banker White, said the Refugee All Stars’ story “is not only a celebration of what is beautiful about Africa, but also what is beautiful about the human spirit, the strength to overcome adversity, the ability to forgive and when you’ve found hope, the desire to share it with others.”

Cindy Nofziger, Schools for Salone Executive Director, will also attend the film’s screening. She knows the Refugee All Stars and she has just returned from Sierra Leone with update s about the All Stars and will share information her work building schools in Sierra Leone.

The film has received awards from at least two film festivals and, while some aspects of the film are hard to watch, it is a wonderful testament to the human spirit.

The Globe and Mail, Toronto, said of the film, “The film earns its crowd-pleasing reputation thanks to the thoughtful honesty of the interview subjects and the contagious warmth and directness of their music.”

Refugee All Stars - performing in Aspen Colorado in 2008
Schools for Salone Benefit Concert

45 people attended the screening
Schools for Salone raised $200

Thank you
Rosalee Mahoney & Des Moines United Methodist Church
for a very enjoyable and successful evening.