More Clashes in Darfur •
Visit Save Darfur’s Web Blog for the latest information about events in the region. The link is also available under the “Related News” link box.
From the Blog:
January 17th, 2010 by C.R.In late December, Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, the force commander of the United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID), warned against over-optimism in assessing security in the troubled region. While acknowledging a near absence of clashes between the government and armed groups, he cautioned that “there is absolutely no guarantee that the situation will not get worse.” According to Nyamvumba, “the factors that caused the conflict…still exist.”
The first few weeks of 2010 have largely justified his concerns. Amid reports of civilian deaths and mass displacement, recent events illustrate the complex reality of a place far from peace.
166,884 Pennies •
Collected through January 14, 2010
MDC Mentions DPO •
From the Michigan Darfur Coalition email update:
December 8, 2009
Hello Friends,
There is a lot going on this month all around the state.
Let’s start in Lansing where St. Vincent Catholic Charities is awaiting the arrival of refugees from Darfur, sometime after the New Year. Are you interested in volunteering to help resettle a refugee? When refugees come from places like Sudan, they often need help with how to pay bills, how to find employment, how to use public transportation, registering for school, etc. There is going to be a training session for new volunteers at St. Vincent in January. Tashmica Clemons is MDC’s Lansing coordinator in charge of this volunteer effort. Send Tashmica a message at glassb0x@yahoo.com if you are interested in learning more about this important opportunity.
Detroit area supporters of the Michigan Darfur Coalition are invited to participate in a fund-raising event this Monday, December 14, 2009. Have your lunch, dinner, or Monday Night Football outing at Buffalo Wild Wings in Southgate (13655 Eureka Dr). 20% of your purchase will be donated to the MDC if you give the waitstaff the MDC coupon which can be found on the MDC website events page. Just download and print the coupon and take it with you!
Finally, we wanted to let you know what two of our partners have accomplished this past month. First, in Muskegon, the North Muskegon Middle School community has formed a non-profit organization called Donate Pennies. This month the organization was able to send the MDC a generous gift equal to tens of thousands of pennies they’ve collected. And, in Grand Rapids, the Temple Emanuel community held an educational Darfur event in coordination with the MDC where 100 people came. The Temple community raised awareness and funds which were donated to the MDC. Both of these significant donations along with the individual small donations that are made truly add up to make a difference to Sudanese people here in Michigan and in Sudan.
If your group is interested in partnering with the MDC please contact us. We’d love to hear from you.
Thank You McCroskey Law Firm •
McCroskey Law Firm sponsored our tree in Walker Park for North Muskegon’s 5th Annual Circle of Trees.
Student club members decorated the tree.
Class Response to Bullying •
LA Times Article about “Kick a Ginger Day”
One student group's response.
Ms. Knuth’s 8th grade language arts classes read Education Week’s report about the attacks on redheads in a middle school in California. They were asked to respond individually in writing before joining a group to compare responses and note important ideas. Groups created posters and presented them to the class. See more on the Activities page.
Middle School Project •
Middle school student club members challenge:
Create individual containers to collect pennies through the winter term.
One student's container creation. It's a cool "can"tainer!
Emmanuel Jal: The music of a war child •
For five years, young Emmanuel Jal fought as a child soldier in the Sudan. Rescued by an aid worker, he’s become an international hip-hop star and an activist for kids in war zones. In words and lyrics, he tells the story of his amazing life.
John Prendergast Testifies to Congress •
John Prendergast, cofounder of the Enough Project, testifies to the subcommittee
on African and Global Health about the upcoming national election and referendum
for independence of southern Sudan.
Tell Pres. Obama to Talk about Darfur in China •
President Obama will visit China November 15-18.
Tell him to talk to President Hu about Sudan.
Here is the White House contact link:
