Continued...
Stephanie Nyombaire: Taking a Stand Against Genocide
TV: Briefly explain the current situation of Darfur.
Stephanie: Darfur is located in the western region of Sudan, and two years ago, Darfur rebels were trying to get representation in government. On the pretext* of fighting against these Darfurian rebels, a campaign to exterminate the non-Arab Darfurians has been launched. In the midst of this civil war between the rebels and the Sudanese government, a militia called Janjaweed is attacking villages and brutally killing innocent civilians as well as using rape as a weapon of war.
Today, 400,000 lives have been lost, close to three million have been displaced, and 15,000 lives continue to be lost each month. This campaign of extermination follows the "Arabization" campaign that promotes the discrimination of African tribes such as the Zagawa, Maasalite, and Furs.
This is an attempt to erase the culture of the African tribes by replacing it with the culture of the Arab tribe, which they believe is superior. For years, Arabic was the only language allowed to be spoken in schools. Also, jobs, healthcare, and education were mostly given to those of Arab descent. Right now, all forms of privilege are given to Arabs in Darfur and the natives will be exterminated if nothing is done.
TV: How do you feel connected to what is going on in Darfur?
Stephanie: It hit me that no one knew about the genocide or what happened in Rwanda and no one knew about what is going on in Darfur. There was little coverage on the news and people didn't realize it was happening. It was said "never again" after the Holocaust, but genocide has happened at least four times since then. People who could have made a difference in these countries didn't, and that's why I want to help now. If people continue to choose inaction, Darfur will soon become another Rwanda.
TV: When you went to Chad with a camera crew from MTV, what did you learn from the refugees there? What were the teen women like? What are their hopes, dreams, and fears?
Stephanie: I learned a lot in Chad and the connection I feel with the refugees is there because they are experiencing what my family and I went through. I met girls who are 16, 17, and 18 years old and walked 40 days in the desert to get to the refugee camp from Darfur. They told me about begging in the marketplace in order to feed themselves and many have been abused or raped. But they don't feel sorry for themselves. As they were fleeing for safety, they walked through the desert not knowing where they were going or what it would be like when they got there.
It's amazing to see how strong these girls are at 16 years old. No one should ever go through what they experienced, and although they are asking for assistance, they remain thankful for the little that has been given to them so far. These girls used to go to school, have parties, and watch TV, and then suddenly they found themselves being chased out of their homes. Seeing them go through this horror makes me want to help more.
Those teen women are so strong despite the fact that they don't have any control over what happens to them. In America, you're taught that you can do anything and that anything can happen, but all they have is hope. They have no control over anything; they depend on international organizations to be able to have food to eat or a place to sleep.
TV: Were you active in Swarthmore's Genocide Intervention Fund (GIF) from the beginning, or did you join after its establishment?
Stephanie: I was part of starting the GIF along with the founders, Mark Hanis and Andrew Sniderman and five of my fellow students. I had to think about how the international community was ignoring the issue and, at first, I wondered whether people would take us seriously. I've been pleasantly surprised at how big it's gotten.
TV: What were your reasons for getting involved with the GIF?
Stephanie: I can't complain about people not taking action if I don't take action myself. As I told the refugees in Chad, I hope that students all across the U.S. will become messengers who will make their voice heard on behalf of the genocide victims. I want to honor the people who were killed in Rwanda by making sure that this time the voice of those who are enduring these atrocities is heard.
TV: Briefly describe the GIF and how it operates.
Stephanie: We have eight board members, including myself as the Outreach Director. We all have different areas that we cover, but our responsibilities are all intertwined. We have weekly meetings and we're trying our best to operate with the little funds we have.
Our main project is the "100 Days of Action," which remembers the 100 days of the Rwandan genocide by taking action against the Darfur genocide. During those 100 days, we're trying to educate as many people as possible and raise as much money as we can. We're also trying to have 100,000 letters sent to congressmen and senators showing support for bills that would help the situation in Darfur. We're trying to make as much noise as possible so the right people will hear.
We're also trying to raise one million dollars for the African Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan (AMIS), which is the only protection for citizens of Darfur. There is so much humanitarian aid that can be sent to Darfur, but sometimes, it's too dangerous for the aid to get there. AMIS helps get the aid to the people who need it. If we help increase their funds, we'll be helping the success of their mission.
TV: What do you do as Outreach Director for the GIF?
Stephanie: I speak in different schools and communities about the Rwandan and Darfurian genocides and I help spread the word about how people can stay active in supporting the cause. My goal is to make it easy for people to help and stay involved.
TV: Who inspires you to remain active in the GIF?
Stephanie: My parents are my main inspiration. What they have taught me has helped me remember what my family went through. Also, my family that has survived the Rwandan genocide inspires me. I feel that staying active in the GIF is keeping the memory of people killed in any genocide alive.
TV: What are your career and life goals?
Stephanie: I am going to school to learn to help others. I plan on staying active and helping people because I don't understand why anyone can sit back and not help. I don't see why it needs to be explained why someone should take action. It's unacceptable to sit and do nothing about Rwanda, Darfur, or any other tragedy.
As a career—I'm only a freshman, so this could change—but I want to be either a child psychologist to counsel children traumatized by war and genocide, or, I want to be an international lawyer. Either way, I'd like to return to Rwanda and help.
TV: How can teen women help in their own communities to support your work?
Stephanie: They can write to representatives and senators and say they will not be silenced. They can also visit our website, www.genocideintervention
fund.org, and donate or learn more about what is going on and help spread the word.
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Are you a teen activist or do you know any teen activists? Contact
Teen Voices and share your story.
Don't Just Imagine
Marina Tharathattel, 16,
New York
Suppose everything
you dreamed of
came true.
Just suppose
for a split second
that you can have
things your way,
The right way.
Just suppose
you had the power to change
places and
conflicts,
the power to make
a difference.
Now,
don't just suppose
anymore.
Take action!
i-ACT Awareness Campaign:
Starting November 21, the Genocide Intervention Fund and StopGenocideNow.org will webcast the refugee camps in Chad and the villages of Darfur, Sudan.
The new awareness campaign, i-ACT (Interactive Activism) will broadcast the horror of genocide all around the world through the internet.
Visit the campaign daily to stay aware and affect change.
Past Activists
of the Month
November 2005:
Stephanie Nyombaire
December 2005:
Kaley Rosinski
January 2006:
Kyla Carpenter & Erika Chase
March 2006:
Shelby Knox
April 2006:
Cisnell Baez & Ashley Cotton
May 2006:
Makalay Tarawally
June 2006:
Becky Marks
July 2006:
Geneva Johnson
August 2006:
Rachel Powell
September 2006:
Liz Funk
October 2006:
May Lan Dong
November 2006:
Karoline Evin McMullen
December 2006:
Maggie Astor
January 2007:
E. Jane Handel
February 2007:
Ana Slavin
March 2007:
Shaina Patel
April 2007:
Amity Paye
May 2007:
Evelyn Eng-Nol
June 2007:
Ava Lowery
July 2007:
Chela Élan Counts
August 2007:
Alexandra Pates
September 2007:
Alexandra Abend
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