The Education Project
The “Darfur Diaries” team is committed that a portion of funds raised through the film and book go directly back to the people of Darfur, especially those in the communities where they filmed.
Why education?
From meeting and talking to dozens of Darfurians, the filmmakers found that Darfurians hold education for their children as one of their highest priorities. In fact, refugees in the camps chose not to wait for the UN to establish schools; they started their own. For that reason Darfur Diaries is partnering with Darfur Peace & Development Organization (DPADO) to support education in the destroyed villages where the documentary was filmed, starting with Muzbat.
Muzbat: The Village
Muzbat is a village located in North Darfur. 7,000 people lived in Muzbat before the war. In April 2004 Muzbat was first attacked by government bomber planes, soldiers and janjaweed militia. 900 people were killed and both the schools were destroyed. The people of Muzbat fled to nearby caves and wadis, returning to the village only to get water. The filmmakers spent two nights in Muzbat in November 2004, sleeping outside the destroyed and abandoned school building. Since then, the villagers from Muzbat have cautiously begun to return to their village, though the situation is still far from stable.
Muzbat School of Peace
Through a partnership between Darfur Diaries and Darfur Peace and Development Organization, Muzbat School of Peace officially opened in July 2006 with over 400 students and 10 teachers. As a school sponsored by the Darfur Schools Project, teachers and support staff, who are also members of the community, are now receiving a regular monthly salary, as well as teaching materials and classroom supplies. Students have received much needed textbooks and writing supplies. Tents for classrooms are being provided by UNICEF.
Anka: The Village & The School
Anka Village was entirely burned when the filmmakers visited in November, 2004. However, nearby, the displaced people of Anka were living under the trees, trying to rebuild shelter for themselves. Anka and its surrounding areas are still under bombardment from Antonov aircraft. However, the people of Anka are determined that their children receive an education. Darfur Diaries and Darfur Peace and Development is funding the Anka School for Peace, with 350 students and 8 teachers.
At the bottom of the hill was a small, pink, whitewashed building. The metal door was stuck. I leaned my shoulder against it and pressed as hard as I could to thrust it open. When I finally succeeded, I had to allow a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. The cracked chalkboard and twisted, smashed, metal benches told me that I was inside a school. I needed more light in order to film this. The windows wouldn’t open easily, either; I had to climb on the sill to force them open and let in small squares of light. It was probably too dark for the footage to be useable. Back in Iridimi camp, the camera often put an unwanted distance between me and the children. But now, standing in this abandoned, destroyed classroom that should have been filled with those same kids, I needed that barrier in order not to break down. Bad light and battery shortage regardless, I filmed.
-excerpt from “Darfur Diaries: Stories of Survival”, when the filmmakers encountered the abandoned school in the destroyed village of Anka.
Future Development
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow has helped raise funds to expanded the DD education project. Two more schools will be receiving financial support from Darfur Diaries in the near future.
How You Can Help
The continued operation of the DD education project depends on donor support. If you would like to support the project, please make a donation today and mail it to:
Darfur Peace & Development Org.
P.O. Box 5743
Fort Wayne, IN 46895
*Be sure to include a note that indicates the donation is for the
“Darfur Diaries Education Project.”
To make a secure contribution online, please visit: http://www.dpado.org/help.php
(In the “payment for” line, please indicate that your contribution is for the “Darfur Diaries Education Project”)
Partnership
Darfur Peace & Development Org. (DPADO) is a non-profit organization begun and led by Sudanese in the US, working to restore peace and provide humanitarian assistance to the conflict regions of Darfur. It has designed the Darfur Schools Project to address the urgent need for education, promoting reconciliation and non-violence in the classroom. DPADO recognizes the potential future tragedy of continued violence due to resentments, a direct result of missed education.
Contact the Darfur Diaries team about the education project through our contact page.
For more information on Darfur Peace and Development Organization, please visit www.darfurpeaceanddevelopment.org
