I'm in high school, right? So I focus mainly on my work, my family and my friends. But today, we had an assembly, that really impacted and inspired me, as well as my fellow students.
Darfur Now is a very emotional documentary based on the mass genocide taking place on the other side of the world. This documentary was so inspirational and had such a big impact that people such as college students, all the way up to celebrities and the governor of California have joined in on the protest and made this public (that's Arnold Schwarzenegger people!). Me To We is a group of people who are dedicated to helping the mass genocide that has been taking place for 6 years in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Sudan is a country that is located in the South African region, and Darfur is a part of Sudan; the size of France. There are over 100 tribes located and living in Darfur.
Sudan was once colonized by Britain, and the northeast often ruled over the southwest. Two civil wars between the country had been the outcome from this. But something worse has happened since then. The country has been overrun by the Sudanese military, who have brutally attacked, killed, and misplaced almost 3 million people. 3 million people! In broad daylight, there is often gunfire raining down upon villages, killing thousands at a time. For those who survive, the military send down what are called the Janjaweed, also known as something along the lines of "devil on horseback". The Janjaweed are men who ride around on horseback, "taking care" of the people who are left behind, and I don't mean that in a good way.
This is a violent and very upsetting story, but I believe people should know about this!
I was surprised to have not heard of this before hand. But the assembly made a strong point, and made me rather emotional. They showed very moving videos of people who have fled and had watched their families been killed; children who were crying and pleading for help because their families had been killed, and they had been left alone.
I knew my school had a group called Me To We, but I didn't know much about it so I wasn't too interested. After today, I am now a member. Me To We raises not only awareness, but money to help the people of Darfur regain power and Independence for themselves, and also sends people over to help rebuild. One person can make such a huge difference. If you are reading this right now, I know I have made a difference somehow. If one person tells somebody, and that person tells somebody, then eventually thousands upon thousands of people will know, and those people can make an even bigger difference in the world.
To help, they have given three options:
1: Just tell somebody! Spread the word, gather some friends, watch the documentary and educate people!
2: Visit the www.takepart.com website, where there are constant stories, and videos on people helping, and suggestions on how you can help.
3: If you live in Canada, there is a toll-free 1-800 number that goes directly to the answering machine of the Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. Just one phone call, saying you think Canada should be a part of making a difference, and the politicians will make this even more public.
It's hard to believe that over the past 6 years of this going on, Britney Spears' going crazy was even more important than mass genocide.
Do something good for a change, and help save lives!
WhomIAm
