Posted by Victoria Trabosh on Mon, May 11, 2009 @ 07:24 PM
photo credit: BBC
Some good news and some disheartening news. Typical in any normal day but the situation in Darfur is far from typical. Every time we look away, more die and wonder why we didn’t care to do more. There are grave injustices all over the world, but Darfur must be saved.
There’s a tough op-ed piece in the New York Post about what President Obama is not doing in the Sudan. I respect our President very much but admit his response is terribly disappointing.
On the other hand, one man cannot do it all. So we must all do what we can. Richard Branson took over for Mia Farrow when she needed to stop fasting. Now, Congressman Donald m. Payne, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health an outspoken leader in working towards ending the suffering in Darfur and bringing lasting peace to Sudan will be joining the Darfur Fast for Life movement. Clearly, we are being heard. Jon Foreman, front-man for multi-platinum rock band Switchfoot is also taking up the cause. He has been an activist and cares deeply about the Darfur region of Sudan.
Other encouraging news: Reported by the BBC: Sudan's government says it will invite new aid groups to work in Darfur and allow those still operating there to expand their activities.
And then there are the rest of us. No less important, just less visible. Personally, my fast is going well. I do not plan to end my fast until the 18th. Does it matter? It does, especially to me. I cannot go to Darfur right now, but I will in the future. And do what I can to make a difference.
For now, this makes a difference. And that’s the good news.
Posted by Victoria Trabosh on Thu, May 07, 2009 @ 03:13 PM
http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/
LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA SENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE (see link above)
Dear President Obama,
I am now on day 11 of a 21 day fast for Darfur. Liquids only: about 400 calories a day.
I'm not sure what an activist is supposed to look like, but I never thought it would be me. I can step aside no longer.
I'm a 51 year old professional woman who is moved to ask you to change the atrocities being committed in Darfur. I co-founded the Itafari Foundation for the people of Rwanda and have spoken at the United Nations about our need to help those who have been ignored and abused. Darfur continues to be the reality that nothing is truly being done.
In addition to running a Foundation with no financial gain or recompense for my expenses or actions, I am an executive coach and international speaker. My topic and passion: communication and leadership.
I believe in you and ask for your focus and the focus of the Administration on this issue. Please. But I'm also a pragmatic businesswoman who knows this is not just a phone call or a speech. Please put resources towards getting the humanitarian groups back into the Darfur region, and then, end this genocide.
Working in Rwanda teaches me that if action is not taken, we will look back and regret what we did not have time to correct.
You can read more about my fast at: http://victoriatrabosh.com/blog
To read more about the work in Rwanda, http://itafari.org
Thank you Mr. President. I know you can do this.
Sincerely,
Victoria H. Trabosh