I Run, For Life!

During my last year of college when I was pursuing my Russian Studies degree, I did a 10-week internship at the International Institute of Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania. I helped out at their Language Department with admin work and with Russian-to-English translations of birth certificates and other documents.

The institute helps refugees to resettle in Erie and become self-sufficient in their new country. It involves learning English, education, paperwork, finding employment, cultural assimilation and anything and everything that can help refugees to feel like home in the United States.

One of the groups which probably needed the most attention were the refugees from Sudan.

The recent War in Darfur started in 2003 and is not over yet. According to the United Nations, 300 thousand people have died in the conflict. Some aid groups estimate the number of people left without food to be 1.1 million, and 1 million without drinking water.

(photo credit: wanderingzito)

People, Not Numbers

300 thousand people - that’s almost the population of Lublin, a city I grew up in. When you put the numbers into perspective, you get a better picture of the magnitude of the destruction and death this war has brought upon the Sudanese.

Looking at this and other conflicts, as well as natural disasters, we should remember that there are people behind the numbers. There are people suffering because of decisions of a few or the reckless habits of millions. Let’s think beyond the nameless casualties, victims, civilians, displaced, refugees.

Let’s see a person behind the number and help them like you would help your neighbor.

Many Sudanese refugees who resettle in Erie need help with things we take for granted, like learning to use home appliances or public transportation. There’s a long road ahead of them to feel comfortable in their new homeland, but they are in the right place and have dedicated people to lead them through new experiences.

There are millions of people still in Darfur - they need help too. Many international aid organizations focus their efforts on providing relief for the genocide victims in Sudan, the neighboring Chad and anywhere else in the world where Darfurians have been displaced. The needs are vast: from clean water and food to clothing, shelter, education and psychological help.

Train For Humanity

When Mark Hayward was looking for an organization to include in his new project, Train For Humanity, he learnt about the Darfur Peace and Development Organization which helps Darfuri orphans affected by the genocide.

DPDO is “a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to a peaceful Darfur that is justly governed and developed in a sustainable manner. The mission of DPDO is to provide humanitarian relief to victims of the genocide in Darfur, to facilitate just governance, and to enable Darfurians to effectively rebuild and develop their homeland.”

I learnt about DPDO and Train For Humanity from an article on Zen Habits. Leo Babauta was one of the first athletes to take part in Mark’s project: raising funds for a humanitarian cause through getting fit and social media. I thought it was an amazing idea and signed up. If I was going to start running regularly anyway, I might’ve done it for a greater cause, right?

Share Your Lunch

Mark Hayward, Leo Babauta and Dan Clements have raised $1,500 in the first phase of the TFH project and recently received a thank you letter from DPDO for making the donation. This project is real - it has measurable results - and I’m really happy to be part of it! I hope that the effort I put into my training will inspire people to act and help those in need.

Ordinary people can do extraordinary things - let’s get involved and stop thinking that perhaps others can take care of it. “Others” already are, but your help is priceless too. Don’t underestimate your importance.

You can help support Train For Humanity’s efforts by becoming a TFH athlete - if I can train for a marathon, what’s stopping fitter people than me?

But if you don’t feel like sweating too much for several weeks to prepare for a sport event, you can donate your other resource: money. You can donate as little as $5. In the Western world, it is the price of one lunch, or even one coffee. It is a small amount for many, but a huge amount for the Darfuri victims, especially if it’s multiplied. Share your lunch, you won’t go hungry!

Mark’s goal is to donate $50,000 to the Darfur Peace and Development. If every $5 from this sum was donated by one person, we would need 10,000 people to collect the total of $50,000. Only!

Don’t think of 300 thousand, 1 million or any other overwhelming number. There’s a sea of needs to be fulfilled in Darfur, but this time your one drop can really help. Think of that one person for whom your $5 will make a difference.

There’s a unique, personal story behind every victim of the genocide in Darfur, behind every number, behind every face. There is a human being. Who knows, maybe one day they will be resettled to your neighborhood. Would you give $5 to your neighbor in need?

If you can’t afford to donate, please spread the word to those who can. Any type of help is wonderful!

My dream is to spread the word about Darfur and Train For Humanity to 10,000 people who are willing to share their lunch.

Can You Help?

Please make a donation and spread the word: