STAND and make a difference
Every day, disasters occur:
tsunamis, earthquakes, genocides,
the list goes on. The media concentrates
on the most recent events,
such as the Japan and Libyan crises
happening right now; what the
media fails to do is give attention
to all problems all the time, but of
course that would be nearly impossible.
This gives organizations
such as STAND: Students Taking
Action Now Darfur a reason to
exist.
Darfur has a long history of indecencies, and more specifically, genocide. STAND, founded in 2005, has quickly become one of the leading organizations across Canada led by student activists for anti-genocide advocacy.
In 2005, a group of students at the University of Western Ontario got together to raise awareness for Darfur. Soon after, STAND was in full swing. The organization now consists of chapters in over 50 high schools and universities from coast to coast.
STAND Fanshawe held a benefit concert on March 21 to raise awareness about the organization and the conflict in Darfur. The event included entertainment by three Fanshawe bands: Arkham Dispatch, Alyeus and Psychopathy. Bracelets were also being sold at the event for $10.
"Proceeds from the ticket sales, as well as donations collected, will be put towards fuel-efficient stoves for families in the refugee camps," said Angie Martin, president of STAND Fanshawe. The proceeds from the Darfur Relief Bead Bracelets will be "going towards sending Darfuri children to school and saving malnourished children."
The exact amount raised is still unknown, but Martin said, "STAND will receive 60 per cent of the ticket sales. Between friendly donation and selling the bracelets we were able to raise enough money to send 10 children to school for two months, as well as being able to purchase three industrial stoves for the refugee camps."
Martin said she thinks STAND Fanshawe is one of the most important groups within the college. "We make a difference in someone's life every day. Unlike most groups at Fanshawe, STAND creates a global student who is educated on the world around them and shows students that they can do something to change the world by helping others."
"What has been happening in Darfur for the last eight years should be considered crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide," she continued. "There needs to be some form of accountability for the perpetrators so that the cycle of impunity is broken."
The organization has already sold over 200 bracelets this year, allowing 200 children to attend school and prevent them from facing the horrible reality of malnutrition.
"(STAND) makes a difference and in many cases it saves lives. Also, by educating students from Fanshawe, STAND is assisting in creating a globally aware student generation in Canada, who hopefully someday will help change the world for the better."
STAND will continue to do classroom information sessions until the last week of school. Rich Hitchens, a Fanshawe professor, will be speaking at these sessions to inform students on the past eight years in Darfur. The executive members of STAND Fanshawe will also speak at these sessions to let students know how they can become involved in this group and help make a difference.
Darfur has a long history of indecencies, and more specifically, genocide. STAND, founded in 2005, has quickly become one of the leading organizations across Canada led by student activists for anti-genocide advocacy.
In 2005, a group of students at the University of Western Ontario got together to raise awareness for Darfur. Soon after, STAND was in full swing. The organization now consists of chapters in over 50 high schools and universities from coast to coast.
STAND Fanshawe held a benefit concert on March 21 to raise awareness about the organization and the conflict in Darfur. The event included entertainment by three Fanshawe bands: Arkham Dispatch, Alyeus and Psychopathy. Bracelets were also being sold at the event for $10.
"Proceeds from the ticket sales, as well as donations collected, will be put towards fuel-efficient stoves for families in the refugee camps," said Angie Martin, president of STAND Fanshawe. The proceeds from the Darfur Relief Bead Bracelets will be "going towards sending Darfuri children to school and saving malnourished children."
The exact amount raised is still unknown, but Martin said, "STAND will receive 60 per cent of the ticket sales. Between friendly donation and selling the bracelets we were able to raise enough money to send 10 children to school for two months, as well as being able to purchase three industrial stoves for the refugee camps."
Martin said she thinks STAND Fanshawe is one of the most important groups within the college. "We make a difference in someone's life every day. Unlike most groups at Fanshawe, STAND creates a global student who is educated on the world around them and shows students that they can do something to change the world by helping others."
"What has been happening in Darfur for the last eight years should be considered crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide," she continued. "There needs to be some form of accountability for the perpetrators so that the cycle of impunity is broken."
The organization has already sold over 200 bracelets this year, allowing 200 children to attend school and prevent them from facing the horrible reality of malnutrition.
"(STAND) makes a difference and in many cases it saves lives. Also, by educating students from Fanshawe, STAND is assisting in creating a globally aware student generation in Canada, who hopefully someday will help change the world for the better."
STAND will continue to do classroom information sessions until the last week of school. Rich Hitchens, a Fanshawe professor, will be speaking at these sessions to inform students on the past eight years in Darfur. The executive members of STAND Fanshawe will also speak at these sessions to let students know how they can become involved in this group and help make a difference.
