Friendship Tours World Travel Commemorates Infamous Vietnam War Napalm Attack with a Discussion by International Figure Kim Phuc
On June 8th, 1972 photographer Nick Ut captured the iconic image of a nine year-old Kim Phuc running naked on a road after being severely burned by a napalm attack on her village and changed the way the world looked at war. Phuc is best known as “The Girl in the Picture,” a survivor of the Vietnam War. Now forty years later, Phuc has become an international symbol of civilian suffering from war and a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for a Culture of Peace. On Thursday, January 19th, 2012, starting at 7pm, Friendship Tours World Travel will commemorate this 40th anniversary with a discussion by Kim Phuc at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, California.
“40 Years of Forgiveness: A Conversation with Kim Phuc” gives the Santa Barbara
community an opportunity to hear Kim’s inspiring story, through film clips and a
discussion with local students traveling to the site of her tragic injury in Vietnam.
Friendship Tours World Travel is an educational tour and community-service program
for American students and teachers focused in the countries of our former
adversaries. By learning history’s lessons first-hand from those living with the legacy
of war, students are better equipped to participate as ethical citizens of a global
community.
Kim Phuc, the Vietnam War’s famous child survivor will share historical footage and
personal testimony of the accidental bombing, the photograph, and her journey to
forgiveness. Her discussion includes short clips from KIM’S STORY: THE ROAD FROM
VIETNAM, a comprehensive documentary film. Kim Phuc’s incredible strength and
spirit are evident when she speaks about forgiveness and helping children. The non-
profit organization she established, The KIM Foundation International, may have
been inspired by her pain, but its focus is on world peace and healing.
“Forgiveness made me free from hatred,” says Kim Phuc, international speaker and
napalm survivor. “I still have many scars on my body and severe pain most days but
my heart is cleansed. Napalm is very powerful, but faith, forgiveness, and love are
much more powerful. We would not have war at all if everyone could learn how to live with true love, hope, and forgiveness. If that little girl in the picture can do it,
ask yourself: can you?”
A generation of people will never forget Nick Ut’s Life Magazine cover image in 1972.
President Nixon doubted its authenticity. Historians credit it with helping end the
Vietnam War. Symbolizing what words cannot convey about the horror of war, the
iconic image of “The Girl in the Picture” still instructs us about the impact of
photojournalism during a time of war. Today’s youth understand the force of photo
and film media as tools for generating awareness and change in a sympathetic public
remote from conflicts.
“We are excited to welcome Kim Phuc to Santa Barbara,” Alethea Paradis, Director of
Friendship Tours World Travel, “It is an honor to bring Kim’s positive outlook to the
youth of our community. Global consciousness is critical for student success,
especially in matters of war and peace.”
Join the Lobero Theatre of Santa Barbara as they host “40 Years of Forgiveness: A
Conversation with Kim Phuc”, Thursday, January 19th, 2012 at 7pm a benefit for The
KIM Foundation and Friendship Fund, non-profit causes providing life-changing
opportunities for children to recover and learn from the tragedy of war. An exclusive
reception with Kim Phuc and silent photography auction, “Vietnam…through the Lens
of a New Generation,” will be held following the main event in the Lobero Theatre
Courtyard. For tickets please call (805) 963-0761 or visit http://www.lobero.com
About Friendship Fund: Friendship Fund provides partial scholarships to American
student travelers on education abroad community-service programs in nations of
former United States’ adversaries. Students learn, volunteer and earn college credit
for their experiential learning and service work in peaceful nations once at war. For
more information visit: http://www.friendshiptoursworld.com/
About The KIM Foundation International: The KIM Foundation is a non-profit
organization whose mission is to help heal the wounds suffered by innocent children
and to restore hope and happiness to their lives, by providing much-needed medical
and psychological assistance. For more information visit:
http://www.kimfoundation.com/
