In making this film our hope was that by giving the viewer a way in to the lives of the band it was create a context for caring and in that way encourage action. The story of Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars affects each person in a different way - we are thrilled that the most common question that we get is “What Can I do to help.” We can provide you here with a few answers, but the truth is you can do so much on many different levels - internationally or in your own community.

1) Spread the word about ‘Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars!’ If this film made you think about refugees or Sierra Leone or Africa in a new and positive way - or you think it could have that affect on others - Plan a Screening, we can give you the tools to plan and promote your own screening of the film - OR simply purchase the film for your friends and family.

2) Support the band and hold a listening party/fundraiser. Find out when the All Stars are playing in your area from their MySpace page, become their friend and buy their album Living Like a Refugee from their official website. Hold a listening party/fundraiser for a humanitarian groups helping refugees in Western Africa.

3) Investigate the roots of conflicts in Sierra Leone (or other African nations) and post the results of your investigation on your blog or other relevant websites and share them with others in your community. Include the historic impact of European colonialism, current U.S. foreign policy and the practices of multinational corporations in your research.

You can start by reading through the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Report. The commission addresses the violent conflicts and human-rights abuses committed during the eleven years of the Sierra Leone Civil War and serves as a way for all Sierra Leoneans to examine their own roles in the conflict and move forward in peace and harmony. Learn more about the conflict by reading the extensive and detailed full report, or read the children’s version of the Truth and Reconciliation Report, which explains what happened in simple and powerful terms.

4) Help draw attention to ongoing tragedies in places like Darfur or Congo. Highlight the needs of refugees affected by those conflicts. A good place to learn more is the Save Darfur website. Save Darfur is an alliance of over 100 faith-based, humanitarian and human rights organizations. Visit the website of the Washington D.C.-based advocacy organization Friends of the Congo to find out more about the on-going conflict in that region of Africa.

5) Learn about the needs of the residents of a refugee camp and find a way to help. Check out the Partners section to find Human Rights Organizations that are working on these issues.