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What began as a classroom assignment requiring research and fact-gathering by Hazelwood Southeast Middle School eighth-grade Student Activities, Investigative Learning (SAIL) students about a nation outside the United States transformed into a service project and fundraiser to raise awareness about current events in Sudan.

“The students were so intrigued with the facts gathered about Sudan and Darfur that they were compelled to conduct a fundraiser to support families there,” said Sherye Brewer, a parent liaison who helped the girls organize and coordinate the project.

Brewer commented on how the students brought this project down to size by using the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model. “The students first identified the big problem. Next, they looked at the data, or the information. After that, the class brainstormed ideas framed around the essential question, “Can one person make a difference? Their last step was evaluating their top five ideas and setting criteria to see which was most feasible.”

Brewer thought this was an effective way to teach the CPS thinking strategy while challenging the girls to spearhead a project and learn the ins and outs of planning, setting goals and presenting research. Wacky Tacky Days was the idea that best met the criteria for “ease of doing and little or no cost.” Students paid a nominal donation to dress in outrageous, clashing colors and patterns last month and this month, they will offer Valentine’s Day candygrams. The students exceeded their fundraising goal.

In addition, students in Sonja Brewer’s SAIL class gave presentations on the Darfur Sudan Project to every sixth- through eighth-grade social studies class at the school. In the presentations, they outlined the facts and details about the racial and religious persecution of the southern Sudanese people. The students’ goal was to not only raise awareness about the tragedies of Sudan, but to help their peers gain some perspective about the resources we have in America compared to other places.

“Everybody was like, ‘Oh my God, I have this and I have that and they have nothing,’” said Anissa Perkins. “They became a part of it so we can all make a difference. We wanted to help them understand there are more people in the world than just us.”

“We felt bad after reading the assignment,” said classmate Victoria Cherry. “Before, we complained about not getting a new cell phone, new clothes or being able to go see the latest movie or concert. After learning about Sudan, our complaints seemed small. We had a meeting with our principal, Sonya Ptah, to make sure everything was a go because without her approval, we could not do it.”

Ptah thought it was a great idea and commented, “I am proud of the initiative the girls took to help both in their local community and beyond. The issue of genocide is foreign to our students who are accustomed to basic human rights and freedoms. It is important for our students to know global issues that extend beyond their experiences.”

Cherry’s and Elantra Jackson’s presentation offered several sobering statistics gleaned from the website, Do Something.org 11 Facts about Darfur, http://www.dosomething.org

Almost 2.8 million people (approximately the same population as the St. Louis area) have been displaced.

Eighty percent of those displaced are females who are sold into slavery while men are killed to prevent them from protecting their families.

8,000 Sudanese people are believed to be enslaved.

Refugee camps in other parts of Sudan and neighboring Tchad are overcrowded and infested with diseases.

Ninety percent of ethnic villages have been destroyed and 97 percent civilians have been executed by militia groups on orders from the Sudanese government.

Eighty Sudanese infants die every day from a lack of nutrition.

The students’ presentation mentioned genocide, defining it as a means of systematic killing of a racial or cultural group. The students learned that a northern Sudanese militia group called “Janjaweed” has exterminated as many as 400,000 people in southern Sudan over the past five years.

Jackson repeated that it all began with a class project but added it soon evolved into more. “Can one person make a difference there? We are trying,” she said.

Classmates Jhane Stephens’ and Teanna Bass’ presentation made an emotional appeal to their peers. “The southern Sudanese are being taken hostage for no reason. They haven’t done anything to have this happen to them– they don’t deserve this,” the students wrote. “Who is going to help? Why don’t we start with you! It’s time that we help the dying kids, women and men. They have suffered long enough!

“We should help Darfur because the people in the south are suffering and dying for no reason. They don’t deserve to be treated like this. Life is not a fairy tale we should help. Hope equals you! What if this was happening to you?”

In November, ABC news reported that a family from Darfur received permission to live in St. Louis. All proceeds collected by the middle school will be donated to the family via the Mapendo International. Mapendo International works to fill the critical and unmet needs of people affected by war and conflict who have fallen through the net of humanitarian assistance. The family will visit the school Friday, February 11 at 2 p.m. to meet the SAIL students and receive the donations.

“It was really refreshing to see young people feel as though they can make a difference. Given the opportunity, middle school students can realize their potential and power in affecting change for people outside of their circle of friends and community.” Brewer said. “To see the girls evolve from an egocentric, though typical teenage mindset, to eager young ladies planning and working together on behalf of others in need—that’s a lesson we all could learn.”

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