Skip your next frappuccino to help out others who are in need
How to help outDonate at the Project 58 table in front of the JCSU from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Also, hot chocolate will be available for $1 along with jewelry handmade in Kenya ($8 to $20). All proceeds will benefit the street boys.
Ally Patton
This first week of December, you can do something small with the potential to change the world.
Today, in Darfur, Sudan, women live in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. They risk violent attacks and even rape as they venture into dangerous areas to collect firewood.
Today, in Bungoma, Kenya, orphaned boys survive in the streets. Homeless and alone, they try in vain to forget the pain of their pasts and the threat of starvation.
Every day, Darfuri women and Kenyan street boys suffer. And the world keeps turning, neglecting their peril and ignoring their plights.
Until now.
This week, in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union, you will have the opportunity to help stop these injustices.
The UNR chapter of Student Anti-Genocide Coalition for Darfur (STAND) has organized a STANDFast event at The Joe from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
STANDFast encourages students to fast from one luxury item for a day and donate the money to STAND. This could be a mocha frappuccino, gas for a drive around town or even a new pair of shoes.
By fasting from your luxury item, Darfuri women won’t have to give up their dignity or even their lives.
With a donation as low as $5, a Darfuri woman will be given access to a donkey and cart to help her gather firewood during secure United Nations patrols without fear of attack.
All monetary contributions from STANDFast are sent to the Genocide Intervention Network Civilian Protection Program.
While STAND provides support in Darfur, student club Project 58: Illuminating Injustice is working to get Kenyan boys off the streets. Their goal is to build a boys’ home in Bungoma, which will offer street boys a safe living environment with adequate food, medical attention, opportunities for education and a caring community.
If only 32 percent of the student population at the University of Nevada, Reno gave up one coffee or smoothie drink for only one week, there would be enough money to construct the entire multipurpose building for the street boys’ home.
Choose to be a part of that 32 percent and donate your drink money.
Choose to make a difference in these children’s lives.
You have heard the problems daily facing Darfuri women and Kenyan street boys.
Choose to join your fellow students in aiding Africa this week. See you at The Joe.
Ally Patton is a columnist for The Nevada Sagebrush. She can be reached at apatton@nevadasagebrush.com.
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