IRC Fundraiser Event: 'Rain in a Dry Land' Film Screening

Report Error

Email It

Write a Review

Hours:	6:00pm - 9:00pm
Ages:	Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Indoor
Cost:	$ see below
Category:	Fundraisers

Rain in a Dry Land is a documentary that follows two families from Somalia through their first year in America. These families are members of the Bantu people, an oppressed minority whose ancestors were brought to Somalia as slaves. They were subsistence farmers before the 1991 civil war when they were attacked, driven from their homes, and escaped to Kenya where they spent 13 years in refugee camps before coming to America.

Somali Bantu families began arriving in Boston in 2004. Eighty percent of them were women and children who spoke no English and were unfamiliar with all modern conveniences, including electricity and plumbing. With poor language skills, mothers continue to stay at home with their young children, and find it very difficult to acculturate.

To help meet the needs of these mothers and their children, the International Rescue Committee launched the North Star program in Lynn, Massachusetts, the home of 4000 Bantu families. The North Star program provides mothers with classroom English and life skills instruction while their babies (up to age 4) receive childcare on site. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the North Star program. The event includes a reception, film screening, and Q&A with representatives of the Somali Bantu community.

COST

↑ top

$35 suggested donation

WEBSITE

↑ top

www.theirc.org

LOCATION

↑ top

1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465 map

http://westnewtoncinema.com/Directions.html