June’s Darfur Heroes

Dollars for Darfur was conceived in an Applebee’s restaurant in rural Western Massachusetts. The simple but effective idea of spreading awareness of the crisis in Darfur through the use of social networks, a novel idea at the time, has helped to invigorate young people around the United States to take action in their communities. Dollars for Darfur is a national fundraising challenge for middle school and high school students. However, the challenge has not only served to raise awareness and funds, but it has inspired and empowered young people around the nation.

 In the summer of 2006 when the U.S. media was beginning to highlight the atrocities taking place in Darfur, we, Ana and Nick, as high school students wanted to create a project that would allow us to have our voice heard on capital hill and in the camps and villages of Darfur. The students around the nation who participated in Dollars for Darfur made these goals successful. The voices of young people nation-wide were heard by state representatives who were visited by Dollars for Darfur participants in June of last year. In addition, we testified before a congressional sub-committee to offer the perspective of young Americans on the situation in Darfur.

Not only has Dollars for Darfur made the voice of young Americans heard here in the U.S., but in Darfur as well. Half of the funds raised by Dollars for Darfur go directly to humanitarian aid groups working on the ground in Darfur. Last summer, Nick was able to visit Darfur and see the effects that our contributions have had on the lives of people living in displaced persons camps. Without the help of the aid provided by supporters like Dollars for Darfur, survival would be impossible for hundreds of thousands of Darfurians.

Last year, in just a few short months, thousands of high school students joined Dollars for Darfur and raised over $300,000. The challenge continued to grow and this year we invited middle schools to participate. At the end of the second year of Dollars for Darfur raised an additional $130,000 for political advocacy, awareness and refugee aid. High school and middle school students embraced the challenge and created fun and innovative ways to raise money and awareness such as hosting talent shows, selling crafts and leading marches.

Dollars for Darfur has proved to the world that our generation has a profound desire to make a difference. We will inherit a world full of problems and we have shown that we are ready for the challenge. Throughout the process of creating and further developing Dollars for Darfur students approached the challenge with passion and determination to have an impact. High school and middle school students will continue to give their time, effort and creativity until the crisis in Darfur has ended.

Photo: Pete Muller and SDC