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Darfur: My Story


December 19, 2007
By The IRC
Photo: Peter Biro/The IRC
Nicky SmithThe IRC's Nicky Smith shared some of her experiences in Darfur with IRC supporters in a recent e-mail:   Deep inside the Kalma re
Coffee at Al Fasher Photo: Peter Biro/The IRC
Nicky SmithThe IRC's Nicky Smith shared some of her experiences in Darfur with IRC supporters in a recent e-mail:   Deep inside the Kalma refugee camp in south Darfur, I've heard the sounds of children learning and playing, and the echoes of women laughing and socializing.   This is not what you would expect to hear in a place where thousands of Darfur's refugees have been living in cramped conditions for years, anxiously awaiting the opportunity to return home. But thanks to supporters like you, the International Rescue Committee is providing hope to and empowering vulnerable women and children in Darfur and in 24 other conflict zones around the world.   In my role as IRC country representative to Sudan, I worked in many of Darfur's refugee camps. I've seen the faces of thousands of people yearning for a return to normalcy and home. The IRC is there in the camps helping to restore hope, build friendships, and begin the healing process in otherwise dire and grim situations.   IRC runs a women's center at Kalma Camp. It is a place of such hope and inspiration. To foster a sense of community and home in the camp, there is a daily coffee serving ceremony. Women gather together to roast and grind coffee beans, and to sing, dance and chat — just like they would in their own villages and homes. In another room at the center, women often sew and make baskets.   Just a few steps away, children are continuing their education — despite being in a camp. The IRC child and youth center provides them a full day of activities, from English classes, to sports practice, to arts and crafts. When I asked mothers what they liked most about the child and youth centers, they often were most grateful that their children were learning good manners. I always found it heartening that their humor could shine through during such difficult times.   Because the IRC has been operating in Sudan for more than 26 years, I can tell you from personal experience that we have unique access to the government, to refugee camps, and to resources, all of which help us provide the best services possible to our beneficiaries. And today, we are one of a few organizations with staff on the ground in Darfur offering direct aid to refugees across the region.   Please consider doubling your tax-deductible gift through our matching gift fund.    On behalf of my fellow field staff working in Darfur — and throughout the world — my sincere thanks for your ongoing generosity and commitment to the IRC. Have a safe and healthy new year.

 

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8 comments

Comments

Thanks for your comments,

Submitted by Kate Sands Adams (not verified) on January 17, 2008 - 2:45pm.

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Greg - I'll share your question with the IRC Darfur team and post any response I get.

Kate (moderating the IRC blog)

Dear Nicky, I finally found a

Submitted by Greg (not verified) on January 8, 2008 - 9:17pm.

Dear Nicky,
I finally found a fresh blog about some of the real problems over there. I was scheduled to go over in November with the UN as part of their camp construction, but it has been continuosly put off time and again. Did you see any progress with the peacekeeper deployment?
Thanks for all you are doing.

Dear Nicky Thanks a

Submitted by Abdelbagy Abushanab (not verified) on December 24, 2007 - 12:27am.

Dear Nicky

Thanks a million to you, The IRC and your fellow field workers for the noble efforts in bringing the suffering of these innocent civilians to the world's attention.
I am one of many Darfurians living in the US who can not account for family members, relatives and fellow villagers. our hopes are kept alive by the efforts of those whole-heartedly engaged,like yourself, while waiting for the World to act.
As you continue to witness for yourself, even minor things that many take for granted, such as a cup of coffee, can bring a broad smile to others in desperate need.
Take great pride in what you and IRC continue to do for the sake of humanity world-wide.
Good bless

Manuel and Don--thanks very

Submitted by Kate Sands Adams (not verified) on December 22, 2007 - 4:53pm.

Manuel and Don--thanks very much for your messages. I'll share your queries with Nicky and the field and post any response I get.

Kate (moderating the IRC blog)
theIRC.org

Thanks very much, Heidi Renee

Submitted by Kate Sands Adams (not verified) on December 22, 2007 - 4:51pm.

Thanks very much, Heidi Renee -- I'll share your message with Nickyand her colleagues in the field.

Kate (moderating the IRC blog)
theIRC.org

We admire anyone who goes to

Submitted by Don Timmerman (not verified) on December 22, 2007 - 4:24pm.

We admire anyone who goes to the refugee camps to be with the people who are suffering from hunger, thirst and lack of shelter and medicine. We gave money to Sun Catchers, a group that collects funds to get solar ovens for the people in the camps. Did you receive any of these? Also, have you seen the benefit of plumpynut, the recently developed nutritional food for the starving. It really works. I spent time in Africa years ago. I found the same. I found the people to be much happier than the people I knew in the US. I realized that happiness is not gained through riches and wealth. It is gained by being part of a community of people who care for one another. Peace, Don

The laughter shows through

Submitted by Heidi Renee (not verified) on December 21, 2007 - 11:47am.

The laughter shows through the bright colors of the picture you've shown us - I can almost smell the coffee. Thank you for this image - and the bright side of this horrible story. It gives me hope and warms my heart in this cold winter. Thank you for the work you do.

Nicky, Thank you for sharing

Submitted by Manuel Carreira (not verified) on December 21, 2007 - 12:38am.

Nicky,

Thank you for sharing on your recent experience, however, I would like to know what is happening with the men in these camps. Have they lost hope, has apathy set in, are marriages braeking you. Can you provide some insight....

Thanks,

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