One Island of Good

Alternative Education comes under scrutiny in this New Zealand documentary about a YMCA Christchurch school trip to Nepal.

"YMCA Christchurch CE, Josie Ogden Schroeder, makes it clear from the get-go that the ultimate denier of generosity to at-risk youth in New Zealand is the government’s Alternative Education scheme. This heavily relies on philanthropy, limits the powers of providers and effectively funds the kids at a substantially lower rate than kids in mainstream schools. In Nepal, her small staff own up to the strain. They struggle to temper the wild reflexes of charges described as “part five-year old, part MI5,” yet find the wherewithal to rouse the better instincts the trip was designed to nurture. There are no feel-good turnarounds in this impressively frank film: hope endures in glimmerings of success. The call to action is clear." (New Zealand International Film Festival)

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