If not for the people, then for science.

Impoverished nations and people often lack the resources to prevent and limit disease. Basic hygiene, clean water, sewage sanitation, and pest control all aid in abating the spread of disease. The lacking of such basic preventatives provides ample breeding grounds for microbes. Addressing economic and social factors that affect the utilization of preventatives is vital in disease control.

No where in the world today is the spread of disease as great as in Africa. A crisis effecting two particular countries in Africa has become my life’s passion. The ongoing genocide inflicted by the government of Sudan (and its proxy army the janjaweed), onto the people of Darfur, Sudan; is causing horrendous physical, emotional, and biological devastation. This conflict has spilled over into Sudan’s neighboring country, Chad. The nation of Chad is taking in some of the 2.5 million refugees who have fled Sudan. The overcrowding has taken a toll on Chad’s natural resources as well as escalating the spread of disease. The shortage of water is causing it to be severely limited. Water is often only available for drinking and not washing. This lack of basic hygiene is fueling diseases which in turn run rampant in IDP camps (Internationally Displaced Persons camps).

The inability to properly treat sewage along with the absence of medical resources is furthering the spread of diseases such as Cholera, measles, malaria, meningitis, Hepatitis E, polio, and even Ebola.Tougher problems have emerged that raise grave concern. The primary problem (aside from the butchering of innocent civilians), is the janjaweed’s use of rape as a weapon of war. Pregnancy, HIV, STD’s, and “branding” are among some of the problems the victims of rape face. The spread of HIV and STD’s is particularly worrisome due to the lack of medical resources. This spreading of disease is further perpetuated if the rape survivors become pregnant and thereby give such diseases to their child. This creates another generation afflicted by disease. If this cycle does not stop now, the consequences will be dire.

Calling on the International community to act (without U.S. troops) on behalf of the 400,000 Darfurians already killed and the 2.5 million displaced from their homes is the only solution to this problem as it stands now. Calling on countries like China and Russia to stop the export of arms and war planes is a must. Asking congress to pass a bill calling for the divestment of all Sudanese oil investments is another course of action. I send local and national news agencies information urging them to address the issues of Darfur. I contribute to two blogs in an effort to raise awareness and organize activists. Constantly I am writing letters, sending e-mails, and placing phone calls to our elected officials regarding action in Darfur. I have taken it upon myself to find video with Creative Commons Copyrights and getting them aired on many public television stations.

In October, our local Amnesty International group held a rally for Darfur in Bronson Park. I brought along with me my husband and three young children. While at the rally, I felt disheartened because only 50 people attended. I perceived at as a HUGE waste of my precious time. Why did I come? About that time, my three children began to squeal in the middle of a speech. As I turned to “shush” them, I realized why I was there. A beautifully soulful Darfurian child was playing with my children. He was running, twirling, and laughing with a smile as big as could be. Oh how this contrasted with the pictures of all the children still in Darfur. He was what those children should be.

At the rally I made a few good contacts and heard first hand the horrors of Darfur. I couldn’t help but feel a sickening knot in my stomach when I heard they had to leave some family behind. I was suddenly grateful for that dysfunctional group of people I grew up with. All of the “tragic” causalities of my life didn’t seem so tragic anymore.

Upon leaving the rally I again felt irritated and confused. Where was everyone? Don’t people follow the news? Then I realized; they did. Where was the media on this? I was livid with the local media because they would not and did not cover the event prior to or during the event. I was further irritated by the plethora of coverage on Tom Cruise. There is no rationale for all of the gossip that besieges our airwaves, print, and television. Even John Peter Zenger would be appalled. My heart could not understand how the death of 400,000 people could be trumped by baby Suri. I promptly put fingers to keys and e-mailed the editor of the Gazette. Imagine my surprise when I actually got a response the next morning. The response wasn’t much, but it came with a promise. When the next event for Darfur comes to fruition, it will receive coverage by the Gazette. This is encouraging because currently I, along with 27 others am planning to meet in Grand Rapids to organize an event for Darfur. I only hope the editor keeps the promise made.
As for myself, I will continue to work on behalf of the 2.5 million displaced persons and the countless others who have been so savagely brutalized by the janjaweed.