HIGH POINT, N.C., Jan. 14, 2016 – High Point University’s Bonner Leader Program will hold a film screening for the documentary “Living on One Dollar” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 16 in Phillips 120. The program is among a full lineup of events scheduled for the High Point community in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“Living on One Dollar” follows four university students who spent a summer living on $1 a day in rural Guatemala. They battled intense hunger, parasites and the realization that there are no easy answers, but found hope in the inspiring lives of their neighbors. After first releasing short YouTube videos of the experience, they were inspired to complete a feature-length film to mobilize others to help end extreme poverty.
The film has won Best Documentary at the Sonoma International Film Festival and received endorsements from Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, USAID administrator Rajiv Shah, and “Hunger Games” director Gary Ross.
Following the film, a panel discussion will be held to talk about alleviating the burdens of poverty in the surrounding community. The panel will include Dr. Jenn Brandt, director of Women’s and Gender Studies at HPU, the Rev. Frank Thomas of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and the Community Writing Center, the Rev. Carl Vierling of the Greater High Point Food Alliance, and student members of the Bonner Leaders.
“The goal of this panel discussion is to get HPU students and High Point community members to brainstorm ideas that will allow us to make a positive impact in the city,” says Melanie Maldonado, HPU sophomore and Bonner Leader. “I am excited to see what we will all come up with. I am also anticipating the changes we can make to help others after this discussion. Together we can all make a difference.”