OSU Delts, Film Society present Darfur benefit screening

Steve Skok

University organizations came together this week in a joint effort to both educate viewers and raise charity to support refugees displaced by the ongoing conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan. Over 300 students packed into Independence hall to view Darfur Diaries, an informative and gripping documentary of the situation, as well as hear from two guest speakers who’ve witnessed the conflict first-hand. In all, the widely successful screening, presented by Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and the OSU film and Video Society raised around $1500 to support the Darfur Diaries Education Project.

            The Diaries Education Project is an organization which is helping to fund schooling and education for Sudanese refugees. Because the US government and the UN have refused thus far to enter the conflict in any capacity, the Diaries project is also helping to give Americans an unbiased view of the situation, which many know little about. Also present at the event was the Reach for Change organization; Reach for Change is an Illinois based project put on by 8^th grade students who hope to decorate 400,000 dolls to represent the victims of the conflict. The dolls will be sent to Senator Barak Obama to further raise awareness of the situation.

            Guest Speakers, Bol Aweng and Simon Dau, recent Sudanese immigrants presented a gripping first hand testimonial on their experiences. “I hope that people in the US are thinking, that they will see exactly what is going on and see if they can do anything,” said Aweng, a student at Ohio State. In his presentation Simon Dau, also an OSU Student expressed his purpose for the screening, “unlike in Sudan, the people of the US can tell their government to go to the left or to the right; we want them to make a decision for themselves.” Darfur Diaries presents the situation and helps to educate viewers so they can make an informed decision as to whether they should help.

            Wes Sutermeister, along with Chance Ross and others from Delta Tau Delta helped to organize the event. “I thought the turnout for the event was great- it just shows how suffering around the world can unite everyone from all walks of life, as seen in the different organizations and individuals that showed up. I think the event would have been worth it even if only 10 people showed up,” said Sutermeister, Philanthropy Chair of Delta Tau Delta.

            The presentation was attended by many student groups including Alpha Gamma Delta and Delta Gamma sororities, the One Campaign, and Campus Crusade's Greek Life; this along with many other individuals who were interested in learning more about the situation and how they could help. For more information on the Darfur Dairies Education Project, check out www.darfurdiaries.org.