African Film Fest: 'Water First' on Feb. 6

The Cascade Festival of African Films features Water First: Reaching the Millennium Development Goals – a documentary film directed by Amy Hart. The matinee screening will be shown at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, in the Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building, Room 104, on the Portland Community College Cascade Campus. After the screening, Hart will be available for a question and answer session.
Water First conveys the critical importance of clean water and sanitation in achieving all of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and relieving global poverty. Charles Banda, a Malawian fireman turned waterman, is the founder of Malawi Freshwater Project, and the feature character of Water First: Reaching the Millennium Development Goals. The film highlights his passionate pursuit to bring clean water and sanitation to thousands of fellow Malawians.
Through Banda's inspiring story, the film explains how clean water is a solution to many of the problems in sub-Saharan Africa and other impoverished regions. From hunger and poverty to women's equality and population control, HIV/AIDS to environmental sustainability, Banda makes it clear that the best way to empower people in developing nations, and to achieve the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), is by putting water first.
Water First fundraisers have provided more than 20,000 people with fresh water and hope to exceed that goal dramatically in 2010 and beyond. Donations for well projects may be made by logging on to the film website at www.waterfirstfilm.org  and clicking the blue Donation bucket.
The Cascade African Film Festival has a first-come first-serve seating policy and the screening of Water First: Reaching the Millennium Development Goals is free thanks to the sponsorship of the Columbia River Peace Corps Association.
To learn more about the film, Water First: Reaching the Millennium Development Goals please visit www.waterfirstfilm.org  or to learn about the Cascade Film Festival go to www.africanfilmfestival.org .