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Grant Knisely received a standing ovation Tuesday night in Sturm Auditorium after the completion of the first showing of his documentary film, “Project Nepal: A Time to Learn.”
Sturm Auditorium was filled with people who turned out to see the 30-minute film that Knisely produced and directed.
Knisely spent 23 days in Nepal over winter interterm with nine other University of Denver students and two faculty members who were doing a service-learning project there. In Nepal Knisely shot 16 hours of film and has spent “probably 1,000 hours on this project,” since coming back from Nepal Knisely said.
The film documented the students’ trip, their travels in Nepal, the organizations that they volunteered for, the challenges they encountered and the knowledge they gained throughout the trip. While in Nepal students taught classes to Nepalese school children, helped clean up rivers and buildings, and cared for the poor and ill. They also traveled to villages and a national park.
“I thought it was very well done. You could tell he put a lot of time into it and it was a passion. He portrayed the program very well while still showing Nepal is a very poor country,” said Jonathan McDavitt, a student who watched the film.
“I am very excited to show this film and share the experiences of the students,” said Knisely. He said the most rewarding part was “the satisfaction of showing it to the people who went on the trip.”
“I hope to raise awareness about service learning projects and increase participation in them. Most people’s perception of a study abroad program is going to Europe and partying. This is very different than the typical study abroad program because you’re immersed in the culture, working with the people and learning about that country from the people.”
The documentary was accompanied by a silent auction, which included tapestries, wall hangings, knit hats and other ornamental goods. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Alkapuri School, Missionaries of Charity, Rural Community Development Program and TEWA, an organization that supports urban educated women through volunteer services. All benefiting organizations are ones that DU students volunteered with while in Nepal.
Also part of the Project Nepal program was an exhibit of photographs taken by Davis Falvey who was involved in Project Nepal in 1999, and traditional Nepalese food that was provided by Mt. Everest restaurant.
Donations were asked for the food and at a donation table outside of the auditorium. Those donations will go to non-governmental organizations in Nepal.
Sheila Wright, vice provost of Undergraduate Studies and Campus Life, opened the evening with a welcome and was followed by an introduction by Melissa Schaap, International Service Learning coordinator.
“Service learning is about combining two of the most powerful modes of learning. volunteer services and international experience,” said Schaap.
“It has become so easy to travel internationally but has become difficult to get a true international experience,” noted Knisely during his introduction to the film.
