 all, their husbands, their jobs, their worldly possessions,” Holland said. “The situation is currently extremely tense. Those that have been pushed out of their villages are extremely vulnerable while they’re in flight.”
According to IRC’s Web site, www.theirc.org, their mission is to be a global leader in “emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by conflict and oppression.” The committee describes the current situation in Darfur as one of the worst humanitarian crises facing the world.
According to Deliver Darfur’s Web site, www.deliverdarfur.com, the IRC has already provided assistance to 700,000 persons in refugee assistance programs.
The student’s success has allowed Deliver Darfur to make big plans for the future, including possibly expanding to CU-Boulder.
Both Robichaux and Knaff say they will continue the organization during graduate school, with hope of spreading the program to other states. The two also say they are in the process of planning a benefit concert and hosting a merchandise tent at Warped Tour. They hope to gain recognition as an official CSU student organization this year, which would allow them to sell their product on the plaza.
“Our goal right now is to get more known on campus,” Robichaux said. “We really just want to spread awareness. Any money we raise is better than nothing.”
“I’ve seen the suffering first hand, but I’ve also seen their bravery, hope and optimism over excruciating odds,” she said. “What they (Deliver Darfur) is doing is tremendous, and a new and innovative way to give people a way to help.”
Keeping Deliver Darfur as active and successful as the organization has been hasn’t happened without sacrifice. With both Robichaux and Knaff enrolled in full class loads and preparing for graduate school, the time put into the group is time taken from studying and working.
But after considering the mass murder and starvation of the people of Sudan, they agree their labors are more than worth the sacrifice.
“There are so many places in world that need our help, but it’s been really encouraging to see what other students have been able to do, and the power of one,” Robichaux said. “You really have to choose your battles, and Darfur is ours.”
TO PURCHASE A SHIRT OR BAG OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, CHECK OUT DELIVER DARFUR’S WEBSITE:
Staff writer Margaret Canty can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org.