President John F. Kennedy's 1960s-era call for volunteerism was a well-timed mini-revolution in the midst of a burgeoning cultural shift in America. Promising both adventure and grassroots geopolitical action, the Peace Corps offered a channel for young men who wanted nothing of Vietnam and young women who wanted more than the few professional fields offered them. Niger '66 delivers a fascinating first-person account of the inaugural Peace Corps group, many of whom have dedicated their lives to service as a result of their experience. But when filmmaker Judy Irola and members of the first team return to Niger after nearly 40 years, we and they see, first-hand, towns transformed: houses erected, people healthier, child mortality down. With these accomplishments in mind, Obama's renewed push for volunteerism rings with possibilities for us as a nation today.
There are no TV Airings of Niger '66: A Peace Corps Diary in the next 14 days.
Add Niger '66: A Peace Corps Diary to your Watchlist to find out when it's coming back.
Check if it is available to stream online via "Where to Watch".