Deeds for Darfur

To help or not to help...

2009-05-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

There are people in the U.S. that don't want us to do anything to help Darfur because
they fear it will lead us to war. It is a smaller country. Why should we fear them? "They could kill our innocent people, so why should we get involved and sacrifice our lives?" people ask that. My answer is just because there are ionnocent lives dying in Darfur. We can help that. If you are strong or know tae kwon do, and you see someone picking on someone who is weak, it is your responsibility to stand up for the weaker person, even if the person picking on them gets mad at you. Well, we are the strong country and there is another picking on the weak... Isn't it the same thing?

Article from Minnesota Daily - The U of M paper

2009-04-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

8-year-old stands up to genocide

Publish Date: 12/09/2008
Reporter: Kathryn Nelson

Last Sunday hundreds of students gathered at Northrop Auditorium, donning black caps and gowns, to celebrate their monumental achievement: graduation.

After walking the stage and collecting our diplomas, it became clear that we were not simply joining the rest of the tax-paying population, but also that we are now responsible to control our own future — and that of our world.

I thought it would be appropriate for my last column of the semester to let someone else speak — someone who has consistently been the voice of those who lost theirs.

Ellen Kennedy has worked tirelessly as the interim director for the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies to motivate young citizens to become involved in human rights advocacy.

The following are her personal stories of how young people, just like us, have made amazing strides against international injustices. Take these stories and be inspired. Make a call. Change the world for the better.

Eight-year-old Freya Slocumb first heard about the genocide in Darfur while listening to University alumnus Luke Walker give a homily during Mass at their Minneapolis church.

Sitting in a pew with her mother, she listened to Walker speak about what was happening in the Darfur region of Sudan , the first genocide of the 21st century where approximately 400,000 innocent people had been murdered.

Turning to her mother, Freya said: “Mom, this isn’t right. We have to do something.” And she did. Freya decided to make jewelry called “sacrifice beads” to sell as a fundraiser, and so far this little 8-year-old girl has raised almost $600 to be donated to the Genocide Intervention Network.

In her Dec. 3 blog entry, Freya wrote, “My mom told me that Obama picked someone for the U.N. who is very against genocide. Her name is Susan Rice . She wants the situation in Darfur to end, just like I do, and she’ll be someone Obama will listen to. … I am so excited that maybe the end of this will be soon.”

Emma Weisberg, 16, is a junior at Edina High School . She organized a citywide showing last year of “The Devil Came on Horseback ,” a documentary about the Darfur genocide, that more than 350 people attended.

This year, Emma and her friends arranged for Dr. Ashis Brahma — the only doctor caring for 27,000 Darfuris in a refugee camp in Chad — to speak in Edina in February.

Anna Donnelly , 22, graduated from the University last Sunday, writing her honors thesis about human rights atrocities.

She often speaks to high school classes, church groups, and civic organizations about genocide, as well as organizes fundraisers and lobbies her elected officials to prevent genocide.

Two weeks ago she worked with the City Council of Hopkins, Minn., to divest the city’s portfolio from companies that are complicit with Sudan’s genocidal government. And this spring she’ll be a University Human Rights fellow, developing educational resources about Darfur for Minnesota teachers.
Mark Hanis, 26, is the founder and executive director of the Genocide Intervention Network in Washington, D.C.

Supervising a staff of 20 people and overseeing STAND, a student anti-genocide coalition , Hanis has empowered thousands of people to take action against the genocide in Darfur.

An 8-year-old, a 16-year-old, a 22-year-old and a 26-year-old; ordinary people yet extraordinary. They’re all standing up to make a difference. Young people have gotten engaged around the issue of genocide prevention in unprecedented ways.

The question is: Why do young people care? Many people have never even heard of Sudan or Darfur, or thought about the nightmare of genocide. But there are important reasons why every single one of us should — indeed, must — care.

The Torah, the Bible and the Quran all exhort us not to stand by when the blood of our neighbor is spilled. Freya wrote on her blog, “I am one person. I may never have the chance to do great things. I can only offer to God the things I can do.”

Impunity allows evil to flourish. Adolf Hitler said to his generals, before sending death squads into Poland, “Go, kill without mercy … Who remembers the annihilation of the Armenians?”

The United States has signed and ratified the Genocide Convention . It was passed in the United Nations 60 years ago, and it’s been the law of our land for 20 years. We have a legal responsibility to prevent and stop genocide.

Genocide breeds insecurity in the region, the continent and the world. Genocide is a threat to our national security, according to The Genocide Prevention Task Force.

When we see an accident, we call 911. When we know about genocide we should call the anti-genocide hotline, 1-800-GENOCIDE, which automatically connects all Americans to their representatives, senators and the White House.

Freya, 8, is doing all she can. Let’s help Freya — and help all the innocent people in Darfur who are targeted in the first genocide of the 21 century.

Ellen J. Kennedy,
Interim Director
Center for Holocaust and
Genocide Studies
Kathryn Nelson welcomes comments at kgnelson@mndaily.com.

© 2008 Minnesota Daily
Source URL (retrieved on 4/6/2009 - 12:00pm): http://www.mndaily.com/2008/12/08/8-year-old-stands-genocide

I hit my goal!!

2009-03-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

My original goal was to raise $800 to donate to the Minnesota chapter of the Genocide Intervention Network. I am now over $1,000 raised. I am going to keep doing this until the genocide stops. People need to know what is going on so they can make a choice to care or to do nothing, but they have to make a choice!

Darfur Epidemic looming?

2009-03-13T10:25:00.001-07:00

This is a blog on the New York Times website in their Opinion section. This is not good if it happens. Why do people allow such horrible things?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 11, 2009, 10:02 pm
Two weeks to the Darfur epidemic?
By Nicholas Kristof
A friend in an aid organization passed on to me these U.N. estimates of the impact of the expulsion of aid workers from Darfur: within a period of less than two weeks 1.1 million people will need food; within a period of less than two weeks 1.2 million people will need water; within a period of less than two weeks 1.5 million people will be without access to health services; within a period of less than two weeks 760,000 people will not have shelter at the beginning of the rainy season; within one week water supplies in most camps will not be operational; within two-three weeks, you may have a widespread diarrhoea epidemic in the camps due to the lack of water and services and potentially unrest in the camps; within one month you are likely to have a mass movement of people from camps without NGOs to camps with NGOs.

Pretty sobering.

Newsletter from Genocide Intervention Network

2009-03-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

The following is a copy of the newsletter my mom got from Genocide Intervention Network. I'll write something more tomorrow, but this is good to know about.

Dear Friends,

Last week, the situation in Darfur deteriorated significantly. Sixteen humanitarian aid organizations operating in Darfur were expelled from Sudan. As a result of this expulsion, one million people risk losing food, water and health care in Darfur.

The international community cannot stand by and allow civilians to die because aid organizations are ordered to leave the country. Obama is halfway through his first hundred days as President of the United States. Despite the historic nature of last week's developments in Sudan, the Administration has not appointed a high level official to focus exclusively on the country. Fax President Obama today and tell him to appoint a high level special envoy to Sudan.

Mark Hanis, Executive Director

Featured Action

President Obama is halfway through his first 100 days in office. Despite distressing changes in the current situation on the ground in Darfur, the Administration has not dedicated a high level official to address those changes. Fax President Obama a Darfur Progress Report to show him what he can do in the next 50 days to make Darfur a priority.

Movement Updates

International Criminal Court (ICC) Indicts Sudanese President

On Wednesday, March 4, the ICC indicted a sitting head of state for the first time in history. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, was indicted on two counts of war crimes and five counts of crimes against humanity. Click here to read Genocide Intervention Network's statement about the indictment.

Sixteen Humanitarian Organizations Expelled from Sudan

Thirteen foreign groups and three local organizations providing humanitarian aid were ordered to cease operations on Sudanese soil last week. The groups, including Oxfam and Mercy Corps, were providing humanitarian aid to people in Darfur. Read coverage of the expulsion here.

Genocide Prevention Month

April is Genocide Prevention Month. Visit Genocide Intervention Network's Events page to see how members are recognizing past and current genocide. Click here for information about how you can be involved.

Areas of Concern Updates

DARFUR: As the ICC issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President al-Bashir, Sudan expels more than a dozen aid agencies, cutting humanitarian capacity in Darfur and putting up to one million civilians at risk.

SRI LANKA: The Sri Lankan army entered the final Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-held town in the northeast and more than 200,000 civilians are caught in the fighting.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) and Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel attacks continue in the north and east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, even after joint offensives to tackle the rebel militias.

SOMALIA: Civilians are returning to Mogadishu as the Somali government begins to plan for the introduction of Sharia law, but it appears that the al-Shabaab militants are reluctant to negotiate with the government.

To subscribe to the Genocide Monitor, click here.

Mark Your Calendar

March 14: Colorado Springs Event - Survivors of Conflict, Agents of Change: African Women Using Grassroots Social Entrepreneurship to Rebuild

Join the University of Colorado for a speaking engagement and discussion with Gretchen Steidle Wallace, producer and co-author of the The Devil Came on Horseback, as she discusses what women have done to rebuild in communities affected by genocide. Click here for more information about the event.

March 16: Congo/Women Portraits of War: The Democratic Republic of Congo in New York

Come see the Congo/Women photography exhibit featuring powerful photographs that convey the strength and courage of Congolese women. The exhibit will take place March 16th at the James Cohen Gallery. Click here for more information about the exhibit.

April 19: Act Now for Darfur in Washington, D.C.

- Genocide Intervention Network

Good News!

2009-03-08T07:31:00.001-07:00

Last Wednesday, the ICC (International Criminal Court) issued an arrest warrant for the president of Sudan for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This started in 2003, and some people haven't done a thing about it. Some people did not know about it, and that is bad, but it's not their fault. Some people have said to me, "oh, that's happening everywhere over there.", "We're in a depression here.", "We need to take care of ourselves." and "I don't care." It bothers me because 6 years later, 6 years, the people in Darfur might finally get what they deserve - they deserve better much better than what they are getting. They deserve to live without fear. If people cared more, maybe we could have stopped this 5 years ago, and then not so many people would be hurt or dead.

Please call TODAY!

2009-02-13T06:35:00.002-08:00

I did a speech on Wednesday for Darfur and one of the people before me said: Please call and help make a difrence. Take action now. So please call 1-800-GENOCIDE (1-800-463-6243) and tell Secretary Clinton to appoint an envoy to focus on Sudan. TODAY, she will be answering her calls personally. You might actually get to talk to her yourself! I think if only 100 people call, it would make a difference. When her husband was President, he said he could have stopped the genocide in Rwanda much sooner and saved many lives, but he did not hear about it from one person in our government. Let's make sure that is not an excuse this time!

I hope that we can stop the genocide,SOON.

When history remebers this horrible thing what will you say did to stop it?
Please make a diffrence, help protect innocent men, women and children.... Children like my brothers and me!

Coming soon!

2009-02-11T22:13:00.001-08:00

Freya will begin posting anew tomorrow, and then at least once a week going forward. She renewed her commitment to this blog this evening at an event in which she got to speak a bit about her efforts in raising funds and awareness for Darfur. Please forgive the prolonged absence.

A Strange Coincidence

2008-12-15T17:15:00.000-08:00

Do you know that the names of the concentration camps that Nazi's used to kill Jews and other minorities spell Darfur? Well if you don't here it is:

Dachau
Auschwitz
Radogosz
Flossnburg
Ulevn
Ravensbruck

DARFUR. Did you also know that when the world found out we promised that it would happen "Never Again". And now, we have broken that promise. Some people have the attitude that "It is happening everywhere." IT IS NOT! It has happened other places, and in the future, it might happen other places, but right now it is happening in Darfur. This is the first time in history that genocide has been declared by our government and the world WHILE IT IS HAPPENING, not after the damage has been done. But, if they declared it while it is happening, why is it still happening?

A note from Freya's Mom

2008-12-11T21:32:00.000-08:00

Freya has gotten a bit of publicity recently regarding her fundraising efforts. I thought it appropriate to let readers know how to order sacrifice beads. If you send an email to deedsfordarfur@ymail.com, we can send you ordering information. We are able to mail the beads for $1.50 shipping for up to 5 sets. As of yet, we have not mailed more than that, so shipping costs are unknown for orders of greater than 5 sets. We do take checks, and they have to be received by us to process the order.

The next thing is just a thought I wanted to share... My husband and I were watching the movie "Scrooged" and at the end, they sing an AMAZING song (also used in the end credits) called "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" by Al Green and Annie Lennox. I have watched this movie with my husband every year since we have been together, and this year, for the first time, that song took on a whole new meaning. Please listen to the song, and see what kind of meaning it has for you.... Here's a link to the song http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/AlGreen/Put-A-Little-Love-In-Your-Heart--2143882;_ylt=AnPe296DH520xzKHb5sif6resyUv

Hope you are having a wonderful Christmastime! God Bless!
-Mom

Spirit and Faith

2008-12-08T19:16:00.000-08:00

"A faith without charity, without this fruit, would not be true faith. It would be a dead faith."
- Pope Benedict XVI, at his weekly general audience Nov. 26

My faith is impportant to me. Without faith, why help the people in Darfur? Without faith, we wouldn't believe in God. Without faith, we wouldn't be able to trust eachother. That is why I have faith.

Some people might not be able to help, but they can pray for the genocide to stop. They have FAITH. It doesn't have to be Catholic faith. Faith in God, faith in people.... All that matters is that we have a good world with no genocide, and with the help of God, we can make that happen.

My faith is not a dead faith.

This quote from Pope Benedict was in our diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Spirit. They actaully have a little news article about me and what I am doing in it. I am thankful they are telling people about me and Darfur.

Good in the News

2008-12-03T16:35:00.000-08:00

My momt old me that Obama picked someone for the UN who is very against genocide. Her name is Susan Rice. She wants the situation in Darfur to end, just like I do, and she'll be someone Obama will listen to. She wants us to use our military if we have to. I am so excited that maybe the end of this will be soon. I did not cheer for Obama, but I am happy he might do one good thing and stop the genocide.

A feeling

2008-11-30T20:49:00.000-08:00

When I heard what was happening in Darfur, I felt really wierd. I felt like we were killers, and they were bait. I felt like I was in a world that didn't care. I felt like we were killers because some people are not doing anything. How can someone know that this is happening and not do anything?

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

A thought on a reading

2008-11-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

I was at Church last Sunday, and when the Gospel was read, I felt like (at the very end) when it said "when I was thirsty, you didn't give me drink." I feel like this is what is happening in Darfur. People are not getting water, or food or shelter. Jesus said whatever we do to the least of His brothers, you do to Him. Are we giong to let him die in Darfur? Are we going to take action and give Him food, shelter and peace?
Here is the Reading for your own meditation and thought:
Mt 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples:"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,and all the angels with him,he will sit upon his glorious throne,and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another,as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right,'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food,I was thirsty and you gave me drink,a stranger and you welcomed me,naked and you clothed me,ill and you cared for me,in prison and you visited me.’Then the righteous will answer him and say,'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’And the king will say to them in reply,'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’Then he will say to those on his left,'Depart from me, you accursed,into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,a stranger and you gave me no welcome,naked and you gave me no clothing,ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’Then they will answer and say,'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirstyor a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,and not minister to your needs?’He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you,what you did not do for one of these least ones,you did not do for me.’And these will go off to eternal punishment,but the righteous to eternal life."

What are sacrifice beads?

2008-11-23T21:24:00.001-08:00

Here is a link that describes, very well, what sacrifice beads are:
http://www.fisheaters.com/sacrificebeads.html

I am one person. I may never have the chance to do great things. I can only offer to God the things I can do. Sacrifice beads help me to think to make small sacrifices every day; not complaining when mom asks me to do something, letting my brother watch what he wants to on TV, helping out and not complaining. If I do everything with love, that makes God happy, and shows Him I love Him.

Every time I make a sacrifice or do something out of love, I move a bead down toward the crucifix. That is my gift to God.

How I decided to do Deeds for Darfur

2008-11-02T13:43:00.001-08:00

One day at mass someone from the genocide intervention network did a presentation that genocide was happening in Darfur.
I was so inspired that I decided to raise money so genocide will stop. As of November 1, 2008, I have raised almost $400.00