In 1969, in response to the World Health Organization's challenge to eradicate smallpox worldwide, the U.S. Peace Corps sent a small group of women to Afghanistan to vaccinate. The group's task was to reach women and children in remote areas who might be missed by Afghan male vaccinating teams because of cultural taboos against such contact. The harsh climate, difficult terrain, organizational obstacles, and frequent resistance to vaccination provided constant challenges to the volunteers -- what was unchanging, however, was the generous hospitality of the Afghan people toward complete strangers -- a gift well remembered even 40 years later. The film ONCE IN AFGHANISTAN explores the women's often humorous recollections of adjusting to life in Afghanistan and the immense impact being there had on their lives. Filmmakers are Jill Vickers, a Peace Corps vaccinator, and Jody Bergedick, formerly with Middlebury (VT) Community Television, Children's Television Workshop, and Broad Street Productions (NY).
