FRIENDSHIP: A True Story of Adventure, Goodwill, and Endurance

FRIENDSHIP: A True Story of Adventure, Goodwill, & Endurance shares the remarkable life journey of an African boy from the region made famous by the Hollywood movie “BLOOD DIAMOND” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which was nominated for five Academy Awards. That movie brought attention to a rebel war in West Africa in which “blood” diamonds, also known as “conflict” diamonds, were used to finance warlords and their activities. Two decades before this rebel war Thomas Johnson, a pilot from Minnesota, was employed to fly boxes of gems and alluvial diamonds in Sierra Leone, from Yengema to Freetown, where a British Airways jet would fly the gemstones to London. This pilot met and befriended young Francis Mandewah, an impoverished Sierra Leonean boy, and gave him generous support that opened a new life of opportunity, which would eventually take Francis to America. Along the way Francis had many harrowing experiences, including crossing the Sahara Desert, which almost cost him his life. His challenges continued in Italy, Greece, and finally in America. In the end, Francis became aware that his real voice that has emerged through all his trials and tribulations is one of deep faith, and gratitude for God’s miracles and wonders in his life. ANNOUNCING THE MOVIE BASED UPON THE BOOK – “The film DIAMOND OF HOPE will inspire audiences as they see the great value of faith, interracial friendship, perseverance against great odds and much more! Writer and director Shawn Justice has done a good job of writing the screenplay based on your memoir. Your story and his screenplay are exceptional, will make a wonderful movie and has potential to make a significant, unifying, inspiring impact on the world…. It deserves production with the best producers, directors, and actors.” -Best wishes, prayers, and support, Diane Howard, Ph.D -www.dianehoward.com