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Wilkes University students, faculty spend the day knitting items which will benefit those affected by violence in Darfur.

June 25, 2007

Stitch of awareness

SHERRY LONG slong@timesleader.com

WILKES-BARRE – A group of Wilkes University students believe every human being deserves the same basic rights of safety, food, water, medical attention and a safe place to call home.

Since 2003, more than 400,000 people in Darfur, a region in the western part of the African nation of Sudan, have been killed and three million more displaced from their homes as Arab militants, Janjaweed, terrorize the area. Janjaweed are a militia supported and backed by Sudanese government officials, according to the Save Darfur.org Web site. Many refugees have fled to the neighboring country of Chad to escape the fighting.

Despite being half a world away, Wilkes students are making their voices heard as they educate others about the genocide in Darfur.

Led by Marcia Farrell, assistant professor of English at Wilkes, several students gathered for a “Stitch-a-Thon” all day Friday at the Henry Student Center to raise awareness and funds to help Darfur refugees. From 8 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. Butwinski, other students, faculty members and their spouses wove donated yarn into scarves and knitted winter hats.

“These are people who can’t even rely on their own government to support them,” Farrell said. “They have to rely on the international community.”

Wilkes freshman Jaclyn Butwinski of Bayville, N.J., said her eyes were opened to the violence earlier this year when the university’s Sordoni Art Gallery featured an exhibit called “Sudan: The Cost of Silence” by photojournalist Ryan Spencer Reed. He spent months in the Sudan documenting the genocide.

“We were really shocked,” Butwinski said. “We didn’t know it was happening and that nobody was doing anything about it.”

All the items made will be sold in a Chinese auction later this month with all proceeds going to three international non-profit groups seeking to help displaced Darfurians.

how to help

All money raised by Wilkes University students will be divided among three nonprofit organizations seeking to ease refugees’ suffering.

American Care for Sudan Foundation is trying to build a medical facility in southern Sudan for refugees without access to adequate medical care. http://acsudanfoundation.org/

Valentino Achak Deng Foundation hopes to rebuild the village of Marial Bai in southern Sudan. Valention Achak Deng, a native of Sudan, in the book “What is the What” tells his life story of growing up in the war-torn country before immigrating to America. He oversees the foundation bearing his name. http://www.valentinoachakdeng.com/?q=foundation

Save Darfur Coalition works to raise awareness of the genocide while lobbying lawmakers to use political pressure to help the refugees. http://action.savedarfur.org/

Donations can be sent to Dr. Marcia Farrell, Wilkes University Department of English, 84 W. South St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766.

Tickets for the Chinese auction can be purchased during a piano recital at Kirby Hall at 5 p.m. Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21; and 1 p.m. Sunday, April 22, or on Sunday, April 29, prior to the Max Rosen Lecture at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Christopher Dillon Quinn of the film “God Grew Tired of Us” and John Dau, one of The Lost Boys of Sudan, featured in Quinn’s film will be the guest speakers at the Roseen Lecture. Envelopes containing four tickets will be sold for $1.

Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer can be reached at 829-7159.

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