Ana’s Playground helps kids choose play over war

photos | Andy Richter

Dave Weiberg carried a Rocket Propelled Grenade launcher (RPG) into an elevator at Minneapolis’ Riverside Plaza. A young man who stood beside him asked, “Is that real?” Dave quickly said no and explained that the gun was a prop for the film Ana’s Playground. The young man smiled and said, “Well it looks great, it looks just like the one I used to shoot when I was a boy.” He told Dave that he had been a child solider in the conflict in Somalia.

The cast and crew of Ana’s Playground were amazed by this coincidence. They were creating a film about children in armed conflict in a neighborhood that had experienced it first-hand.

The idea to make a short film about children in conflict came to Eric Howell after he read a novel about snipers in Sarajevo. Knowing that there was already a lot of information available about the topic, Eric wanted to make something different. He created a film set in an indefinite location, without language or a specific culture.

Sailors, Cambodians work together, provide medical aid in Pursa

This article was cross-posted from Okinawa Marine

Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz PURSAT PROVINCE, Cambodia (May 22, 2009)

Cambodian Medical personnel with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, stand with members of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and nongovernmental organizations during the opening ceremony of the Cambodian Interoperability Program May 11 at a Buddhist temple in Pursat Province, Cambodia. Photo by Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz.

U.S. Navy medical personnel from 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, here, participated in Cambodian Interoperability Program 2009, a medical and dental capabilities exercise which started May 11.

The program, which began in 2007 as a combined medical exercise between U.S. and Cambodian forces, is designed to increase the interaction and ability of both forces in responding to a humanitarian crisis. For this year's exercise, an estimated 10,000 people received medical and dental assistance.

An opening ceremony was held May 11 at Wat Bakan, a Buddhist temple, here. Hundreds of people assembled outside the temple where medical and dental services were administered by 3rd Med. Bn. sailors, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and local nongovernmental organizations.

"This combined medical exercise is designed to keep the sailors combat ready and to coordinate with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to treat the people of Pursat Province," said Maj. John Cherry, the Cambodian foreign affairs officer for the III MEF.

The wait is over!

photo | Andy Richter
A few months ago NEED spoke with Eric Howell, the director of Ana’s Playground, and wrote a blog regarding Howell’s short film. Here’s an update from the crew:

Click to view the trailer“We're thrilled to announce that the trailer of Ana's Playground is available for viewing and downloading. We really wanted to create an exciting glimpse of the scope and caliber of the project while not giving away too much of the story. We truly hope you're as happy with the results as we are.”

Watch the trailer
Learn more about Ana’s Playground