Gabriel Answering Comments—Jan 19

Hey Nikki S!
Thanks for your note and thanks for always being a strong voice for Darfur. You are one of the people I feel proud to be working next to.

Hey Connie:
The temperature at Kounoungou has been relatively pleasant. It gets chilly here at night, but in the sun out at the camp you do burn a bit. The first day there we did not have any wind, so it felt to be around 90, but it might have been less. Today it was considerably cooler. Many are wearing jackets, and you can see that Yakoub is staying warm also. He says that conditions in the camp are stable. There security situation has been OK, so other services can be maintained. They are getting their food and water, but, as you know, it’s just not enough. We’ll see Yakoub again tomorrow.

Hi again, Gayle:)
I wouldn’t exactly say I look “fabulous,” but I do feel good. The Humanity before Politics t-shirt will start to look more and more umm…rugged…since I wear it again and again; but, I do wash it! See you again tomorrow, Gayle!

Zaharitaaa…
Tu me ves con ojos de amor (espero!), porque ni tan fabulos me puedo ver. Gayle lo dice por compromiso! No me habia rasurado en unos dias y estaba lleno de polvo. Pero bueno, no es como que vine para verme bonito :)

My friend Esther:
Thank you for your wonderful note. You know, I completely get what you say about Yakoub and other seeming “emotionally comfortable.” They make me feel exactly that. When first coming out here to the camps, I wondered how awkward it would be to be in a world different from mine, but, with the getting to know each other, our worlds did not feel very different. They make me feel welcomed and appreciated as a person. I will pass on your apology to Yakoub and others. But, knowing that you are one of the most amazing and tireless workers for peace in all of Sudan, there is no way Yakoub or any other Darfuri I meet would express nothing but thanks for what you have been doing for years. I am with you, though, we won’t give up until they can get to go home. Your note really, really touched me.

Hi Mimi Schiff:
Yes, being aware of the lives out here does help to put ours in to perspective. It definitely helps me to reassess my priorities. Thank for your company, Mimi.

Isaac:
Thanks for being so supportive of KTJ and what we are doing. I hope others take your lead and tell as many people as they can to join us in our trip and in the actions. You have a very cool cousin, and she is just great with the people in the camps and doing all the work that i-ACT entails.

Hey Tiffany!
Editing Day 1 was not bad. We got back from the camp early because of the protection escort and everyone only working half-day. For Day 2 it’s getting a bit late for me but still not bad. The “work” days do start getting longer as i-ACT progresses. What I don’t like is that I have not gotten a chance to get in even a short little workout in the last couple of days, since it’s my therapy. I’ll see what tomorrow brings. Hey, lot’s of dogs barking out here in the middle of the night again. We’ll be looking for Ahmat’s family tomorrow. Paz, T!

Hi Corey:
The people in the camps stay resilient. They still do not stop talking about home, but I do notice that they are realizing that, their hopes of this happening soon might be false, since they are now five years from when Darfur exploded. For me, it is something intangible that has changed. They still are determined to go back home, but maybe they’re not too sure the world is coming to help. I am very aware that this might be my own feelings being reflected on them.

Hello Shauna:
Thank you for your word and prayers, and thank you for having such a great sister in Tiffany. She joined the team running and has not stopped. She’s family.

Hey Djata!
It is so great to hear from you. You mentioned the feeling of family on your comment, and I had just written the word family in answering the previous comment. I feel exactly the same about you and Alicia, and then meeting Macy Gray and seeing her contagious enthusiasm, well you are all familia! For good or bad, this is how we do it at SGN. I look forward to having you along on the Rhythm and Hope i-ACT in the spring. Answering your question, yes, we are staying in Kounoungou for three days; we then move to Mile for one; from there down to Djabal for a few, then going through Gaga to see Leila, and on to Farchana. Still lots to come! See you again soon!

Hola mi Mimi Hermosa (my daughter!):
Thanks for telling your friends about i-ACT and for your good wishes. I miss you and Gabo a lot, Mimish. How’s the reading going? Think you’ll hit your 100 book goal for 2008? Hugs Mimi! Tu papi.

Hello Kathleen (KTJ’s mom!):
Yes, women support each other and spend time together in each other’s tent areas. They are very much community. I have not heard women sing, but I always hear children singing. I will ask the women about their songs. Thanks for holding an i-ACT viewing party!

Wally!
Thank you for writing and for being so wonderful. A big hut to you, from Africa all the way to Germany. I hope to see you soon.

KTJ Answering Comments, 19 Jan 08

Hola Mimi (Stauring)!
I love my first trip to the camps! The last two days have been amazing and I can’t wait to return tomorrow! If I learn any new games out here I will be sure to share them when I return!

Greetings Djata!
And welcome to the team for your first i-ACT! In the camp we are currently visiting outside of Guereda, the overall feeling is settlement. The refugees have been here anywhere between 2 and 5 years. Although each one we speak to says they would like to return home when it is safe, they are also building more mud-brick structures to make their stay more comfortable. Since Kounoungo has not had any new arrivals for some time now, I expect this story to be different in every camp we visit, as the overall number of refugees continues to increase, albeit slowly. Gabriel has just finished a Macy video and we will begin to show it starting tomorrow and then for the rest of the trip! I think he plans on uploading it to the website soon – uploading tends to be rather slow from out here. I am excited to share this experience with you in March – can’t wait for the entire crew to meet our friends out here!

Hey Shauna!
It’s great to meet you and I am so excited that Tiffany has invited you to join our community! Thanks for spreading the word and for your support!

Greetings Tiffany!
I am slowly learning more and more about the mac…you would be impressed…I am trying to stay organized on this new computer but the save as funcation is not the same! I almost the word doc with all of today’s comments – but since I am now a tech …hmmm..guru is not the right word….novice (?) I found it in the trash bucket! How convenient! Today I played hand games with a group of young children and it seemed like almost everything around me disappeared! Stay tuned!

To my cuz Isaac!
Thank you Thank you Thank you! Today I saw mountains in the distance with the colors that you and I are so familiar with – reds, golds, deep browns, and almost black! The landscape and the people are beautiful – keep on sharing the story!

Hola Zahara!
We will keep you updated with video and the blogs but there is so much more to share! We will be sure to ask Connie’s questions of Yakoub tomorrow!

Hola Gabo! Today I played with a group of young children in the schoolyard. I taught them to High Five! We have video – it probably won’t make it in to our short clip from today but I will show you when we return- the activity was inspired by you! Ashis also says hi and asked about you when we were in N’Djamena!

Hi Gayle!
It has sure helped things to have Gabriel’s previous trips under his belt. It is wonderful to see him reunite with those who I have only watched on video up until now. I will continue to transform my experience and bring it back to you and your community (Ned and beyond!)

Greetings Connie!
Today Kounoungo (and Guereda) are not too hot, which is nice! There was some wind this morning at the UN compound and then out in Kounoungo as we walked through the school! We will be sure to ask Yakoub your questions tomorrow when we see him for the last day in Kounoungo before heading to our next camp! Overall, it seems that people are settling in. That is to say, they are building more permanent structures, more than in the past. I have seem several water stations and we met briefly with the sanitation committee, of course made up mostly of women! More smiles to come!

Familia Stauring (and any confused persons – haha)!!
No monkeys where I am in Guereda (Chadian town near camp Kounougo) – although today I saw several herds of goats and cows – two of whom were butting heads in what looked like a game – and camels! But, no monkeys ☺ Josh and Jeremiah arrived in N’Djamena on the 17th and will join Gabriel and I in Abeche on Tuesday (Day 5 of i-ACT)!

Hey Nikki!
Thanks for your support and I can’t wait to hear any reflections you might want to post!

JC – No dreams from the river Cheri for me but last night was the first time I dreamt in a while and it felt good – I can’t share it, however, as I never really remember it all! I will let you know when I have a good one though! I am just glad that the malaria meds aren’t having any side effects!

Andrea and Andy!
I am so glad you all are joining me on this journey! Thanks for sharing the link and spreading the word! Hold down the fort in NoPo, it won’t be too long before I come home!

Shiroma, mon cheri!
I LOVE YOU! I will wear the head scarf from Thailand again soon just for you! This morning I had a hard boiled egg and the peeling of the shell was reminiscent of the deviled egg fiasco at Thanksgiving – it made me chuckle if nothing else! I hope you watched the video today if not I know you will catch up when you get a break from work! Hey – let me know when the party is so I can send you something special via email for it!

Thank you everyone for staying with Gabriel and I (and soon Josh & Jeremiah!) as we travel to meet our friends out here! We have had many amazing conversations and just simply holding hands with a child brings a smile to my face!

Paz, KTJ

Gabriel Answering Comments—Jan 18

Hello Cynthia!
Yes, I’m very much looking forward to coming to Atlanta. Yes, we will do all that we can to say safe, given the situation in the area. When we got off of the plane here in Guereda, the pilot told us, “You’ve been given a security briefing, right? You know how bad this area is?” We do know. It has been the center of a lot of confrontations. UNHCR is very good about keeping their eyes and ears open and keeping staying in close communication with everyone in the field. I feel relatively safe, but there is a heavy military presence in this small town, so there must be some anxiety in the air from the local authorities. I know that I always feel very safe at the camps, so I’m looking forward to my time there. Hablamos pronto, amiga Cynthia.

Hello Mimi S!
From that first Camp Darfur in Los Angeles, in which you spent the whole five days with me, camping under the non-stop incoming jets, you have been a friend and companion on this movement to help Darfur. Yes, we have to bring Camp Darfur to Colorado. Let me know how I can help to make it happen.

Hi Ginny,
I’m also looking forward to the conference call. We’ll set it up for a day when we’re in Camp Farchana, which is the camp with which we will connect the Student Task Force with. Before we get to Farchana, we’ll be in Kounoungo and Djabal, and the first day of i-ACT4 videos start tomorrow, so please tell all your STF friends to get involved in the actions. See you soon!

Paz,
g

KTJ Answering Comments, 18 Jan 08

Shiroma, my sista!!!
Have a nice glass of Oregon pinot for me! If Jeff is attending, ask him to provide homemade hummus and deviled eggs! Haha! I was so excited to see your comment and was thinking of you just yesterday! I have heard that the roads have been icy, and yes, I brought sunblock, and ALOE – since I always seem to forget the first step in protecting my skin! Thanks for all your support and opening your heart and home to this experience!

Greetings Mimi Schiff!
Thank you for your kind words about my journals – I am glad that you feel as if you are on this journey with Gabriel and I because you are!

Hi Cynthia!
I have heard of the contraband s’mores and look forward to a meeting soon!

To my cuz Isaac!
Glad to hear you made it home safely – say hi to Shari and Emily! You made it out of Portland just in time, I hear its super icy and I am sure all buses out of the city have been delayed! Thanks for keeping in touch.

Heather, mon amie!
Are you back in Portland? Did I ever put you in touch with Lola? You are just concluding your travels as I begin mine, glad that you have joined me on this journey! Your positive energy reaches me even thousands of miles away! I will check my email this evening, we only connect for a few moments, and I look forward to your thoughts and love!

Hola Connie!
The first time I met you was through your own writing for i-ACT in July 2007 and I can remember the same feeling. I am so lucky to have become part of this team and community. Thank you for your encouraging words and support! I will be sure to pass on your love and hopes for 2008!

As my dear friend Heather says,
Peace and Positivity!
KTJ

KTJ Answering Comments, 17 Jan 08

My sista Sabs!
You made it out of Oregon and to Switzerland! Give Jeff a big hello for me and go to a yoga class – after almost 2 hours in a small Air Serv jumper plane landing on dirt runways and strapped in like a western seat belt, I could use a good downward dog! Soon! Your journeys and drive to the ends of the earth inspire me as well! Thank you for your faith and continued support in my life journey!

Hi Lisa from San Antonio!
Thank you for your continued support of i-ACT, it is community members like you, who bring the stories of Lelia and others to your community, who motivate Gabriel and I in the field. We are waiting on two more signatures, now closer than ever to Kounougo and Mile camps. RET is here in these camps as well as we had a great conversation with the local UNHCR director this morning about the need for education! More to come!

Greetings Connie!
The Zoe’s Arc incident is the entire reason why after this afternoon we will have 15 stamps of authorization to move around and visit the camps – I wonder how many the guards at the camps will give us? And, unfortunately, this isn’t just for us who will be out of Chad at the end of this month. The aid workers, too, are now required to get authorization from several government offices before leaving N’Djamena to reach Abeche. And for some they have been here for one, two or even three years. Interestingly enough, it was not the permits that were the problem with Zoe’s Arc mission, it was the actual mission! We have also discussed the shift in perception by Chadians for aid workers, and ways to rebuild the respect where skepticism now lies.

“Macho Macho Man, you’ve got to be a BRAVE man to where those shorts in public!”

Hey T!
Without our team, this would never be possible – thank YOU for your dedication, motivation and determination! Mucho amor!

Greetings Elizabeth!
I always ask my mum about you! I hope things in London are well and I foresee a trip to see you again soon, maybe even in 2008! I will carry with me your words of encouragement and support!

Mi amiga Brenda (y tu esposo Matt)
DRIVE carefully on Germantown Rd! James and I once had to traverse Cornelius Pass in the snow and I had white knuckles the whole time – good thing you have a Subaru! Tell Matt Happy Birthday, one year older and wiser! Haha! Its great to hear about the PacNW! Keep me updated hope all is well!

Hey Ma!
I have the book and the pens ready to go, tomorrow the first entries will be made – let me know if you want the front few pages to say anything specific! Lots of love!

Greetings Nell!
I remember meeting in NY and our West Coast humor shining through to create some good conversation! Awesome work on the legislation campaign! I can’t wait to hear more. One of our objectives while out here is to collect footage that teachers can use in the classroom to educate their students not only on genocide but also on the people it affects, the state of the refugee camps, and what it is like to live in a camp. Hopefully, what we collect becomes useful for partnerships such as the one with GI Net!

Paz y Amor! KTJ

Gabriel Answering Comments—Jan 17

Hello Kathleen!
Your daughter has been very easy to travel with (but don’t tell her that) and makes for a great teammate; we really work well together. I know that you’re very proud of her, and I think you’ll be even more proud when you see her in action out here. Thanks for the “guest book.” It is a great idea. The people in the camps were so excited when Connie was collecting their names. They want to feel connected to something outside of the camps. Now we’ll have them write their names in this guestbook, and we’ll take their picture. We’ll take the notebook around with us on our Camp Darfur tour. See you from the camps very soon!

Hey Tiffany, or as we call you within the team, T!
We are getting closer to the camps. It’s strange how a day here will takes so far, not only physically but also mentally from our “regular” world. I can’t wait to see Leila either! It is amazing how so many people connected with her beautiful smiling face. We are first going to a camp up north from Abeche, Camps Kounoungo and Mile. We then fly back to Abeche and catch another flight to Goz Beida, from where we will go to Camp Djabal. From there we head back to Abeche, get in our car and drive to Gaga, where Leila lives, before heading out to Farchana, where Mansur lives. I’m excited but also sad, frustrated, happy, worried, and just about every emotion you can think of. I like seeing my friends, but I wish I was seeing them in a peaceful Darfur.

Hola Connie:
Hala says hi! We just missed Jorge, since he left on leave recently. But, from wherever he is, he text messaged Hala, saying “hi” and “don’t forget to take them to the local authorities!” The never ending story of going to get permits! Yes, everyone has told us about Zoe’s Arc. It has really made it difficult for all involved in humanitarian efforts here in Chad, but people manage. About the French soldiers in their little shorts, I didn’t not think of “macho, macho man” but very close. The one that came to my mind was “Y,M,C,A!”

Mi amiga Gayle!
OK, I have forgotten all about wrinkled t-shirts :) Gayle, could you please cross your toes now, besides your fingers, cause today we have a whole new paperwork challenge, in the new little town we arrived in. Stay in touch, amiga!

Hello Lisa!
Yes, it was “fun,” the getting out of N’D. Mubarak is great. Sadly, he will not be with us for the rest of the trip. Right now, KTJ and I will be with the wonderful Hala and her crew out in Guereda. We will use resident from the camp as an interpreter, and I’m really looking forward to that. When we head south, we will have a car waiting for us in the next camp. Our good friend, Youssouf, our driver from i-ACT3, helped us out in Abeche and will be sending the car and driver we are hiring. I’m a little nervous. Although I completely trust Youssouf, I usually like to look at the car before I rent it, but it was not possible this time. I’m counting on some more luck for this one! Thanks for always being around and for doing so, so much for human rights. It was such a pleasure to meet all of you in San Antonio!

My man, CP (Cory in the real world)!
Speaking of luck, we really hit it big with you joining the team and at exactly the right time. With SGN/i-ACT, it has always happened this way. When I first started getting involved in this cause, I could have never have imagined that I would one day be surrounded by amazing people, all so willing to give of themselves. I can’t wait to see our friends at the camps either, and you and the rest of the team are right next to us out here in the field.

Hi Nell!
Thank you so much for doing! Pushing for Genocide Curriculi is so much needed, and Connecticut is a good place to start. Although I’m all Mexican, I was born in Milford, CT; don’t ask me! And, thank you for your help in setting up Camp Darfur in NYC! KTJ often mention you, as the lone soul that came out to help us out in the big city :)

Paz,
g

KTJ Answering Comments, 16 Jan 08 (part 2)

Hola mi amiga Zahara!
Thank you for your kind words! In the week leading up to this trip you could not have been more supportive of me and the whole team! And with me leaving my stuff in all corners of your house! I can imagine the house a little calmer without Gabo and I wrestling in the living room – but don’t worry, I will return and continue my Nacho Libre quest and preparations with him!
Abrazo por ti y Gabo!

Yo Tiffany!
I am so proud that you are on out team! Your passion and dedication shines through your comments and emails not to mention all the work you have been doing! I saw that they created a video for the facebook event – you should have seen how many times I tried to upload one of our existing, and too large, videos from previous trips – alas I gave up! I am wearing the bracelet you gave me and it is a constant reminder of you and the team!
Mucho Amor!

Paz, KTJ

Gabriel Answering Comments—Jan 16

Hello Gayle! It’s always great to hear from you, although I’m a little nervous because my HbP t-shirt is even older and will be more wrinkled. Thanks for always spreading the word and for being a boost of energy for me.Hola Antonio!Thanks for the words of encouragement and for always staying active. You’re a doer

Tone, and I know we’ll be creating some action together for some time to come.

Hello Pam B:We have spent so much time on permits, a whole lot more than in any previous trip. The red tape is thick! It has all been created by the French group that tried to take children out of Chad, giving a bad name to all humanitarian relief workers. Today, in Abeche, we went from one office to another getting stamp after stamp. Tomorrow we finally fly up north and might make it to our first camp. Hi to all the Student Task Force members. They have been one of the most consistently active groups in the country. Thanks for all you do to make this happen, Pam.

Hello Mastora:It is great to hear from you, and we will pass on your message to the people in the camps. You are right, the Sudanese government does not believe the world is serious about doing what is right for the survivors of Darfur. It is our responsibility to push the world to live up to the collective “never again” that has been said over and over.

Hey Ali! We miss you here, but you are still very much a member of the team, and I look forward to hearing more about your point of view regarding this crisis. You have the experience that very few people have.

Hola mi Zahas:Si, el avion si estuvo frio y a ver como esta ahora que vamos un poco al norte. Creo que aguanto! Claro que me acuerdo del frio de esa noche de pruebas…wow, lo sentia asta los huesos! Gracias por el apoyo y por encargarte de la casa de los ninos y de todo mi chava. Seguimos platicando. Los extrano mucho pero los siento cerca. Besos.

Hi Amy! You and Pam have done such a great job with STF! I really believe that it’s a model for other high schools and groups to follow. The students that join your program become amazing and effective advocacy workers. Yes, we have been lucky so far, and I’m working on maintaining the streak! :) We’ll be connecting your STF high schools to a camp that we will visit later on our trip; I’ll let all of you know exactly which ones, as we go along. Thanks for the company!

KTJ Answering Comments, 16 Jan 08

My dearest Mastora!
It is great to hear from you after our visit in Fort Wayne. Have you watched the video of our interview on our site? You can view it i-ACTzine issue 2! We will let you know how your friends are in the camps. We are currently in Abeche and leave for Guereda tomorrow morning. Please stay strong. With pressure from our friends worldwide, we will pressure the UN Security Council to stop the violence in your country!

Greetings Lisa!
Thanks your support from San Antonio! Today in Abeche we met with many students from the refugee camps, their advisors and one NGO that focuses on secondary education for those between the ages of 15-25. I will write more in my journal entry for today, but hopefully, as you said, teachers, students and community worldwide will be able to connect on this very basic human right. Education in itself can be the most empowering tool in an area where there is nothing more!

Hey Teresa!
It was great to meet with Ann an 2nd time while we were in the capital! I have to admit that I was only half present with a few hours of sleep the previous day, and the meeting that Gabriel spoke about was even more inspiring than the first. We talked more about all the possibilities of strengthening UNHCR education programming through community-to-community connection! Once we return to the capital at the end of our trip, we will be sure to capture more of Ann on camera!

Ommie! (aka my mom)
The words of Ghandi ring very true in any country and with any social society. In this instance, from the place I am writing, the words that stick out in my mind on this journey are as follows:
Wealth – Can you have wealth without corruption? Or will there always be a hierarchy of winners and losers?
Humanity – What we fight so hard for as activists, but sometimes it can get lost in maintaining the status quo.
Commerce – We past a small market in Abeche today as we ran around gathering numerous signatures…young women were selling what looked like Heirloom tomatoes, a variety that is slowing being replaced by GE tomatoes in the States – commerce is always relative to culture.
Conscience – We all must be global citizens, and that starts in your own community. Thousands upon thousands of refugees are resettled in the States every year – when was the last time you reached out your hand and heart to a community beyond your comfort zone?

Hola Mimi y Gabo!
My mom in Laguna is eating tuna in solidarity with your dad and me! Today the streets changed even more drastically when we reached Abeche! More donkeys and goats then cars, and I finally saw the universal three-wheeled taxis which are sometimes called rickshaws or tuk-tuks! We will be posting video of it all soon! Be well!

My beloved housemate and friend LOLA (2-legged)!
First off please have a house hug with all the animals, MJ and the new roommate, Eryn! Hope VG is doing well, he should be off his meds by now, thank you soooo much for taking care of my big kitty, I know he is not always the best housemate! Home is a location, a place of rest and for reflection. But home is also in the heart. On this journey, and with many of the people you will meet through i-ACT, home remains ever present in our minds. It is the small reminders and the bigger memories imprinted in our minds forever, no matter where we physically find ourselves. Thank you for all your on our home as I travel in Chad, I am forever grateful to have you in my home and heart.

Dear Connie!
I too hope that i-ACT and all the work that our team does can, in the long term, break down the walls of indifference and disparity between our worlds. We had a smooth landing in Abeche and then spent a few hours maneuvering through trash filled streets with more animals than people. As you said, most people love their countries and their homes, but disparities still remain. UNHCR here in Abeche has asked us to speak more with the local Chadian IDPs about their situation. They have mentioned that at this time, the situation in the camps is better than the situation in local villages and for Chadians displaced from their homes. The resentment that this disparity alone must create. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that international aid organizations are doing a better job of helping a population that a government is for its own people. But I guess that is why we are here…because governments and leaders don’t always do the right thing. I look forward to hearing more about your reflections as you watch and interact with i-ACT4!

My crew in Beaverton: Dan, Kendy and Irem!
Thank you so much for bringing more people to the site and spreading the word – this grassroots action is exactly what our community is all about! Dan – reread your Onion encyclopedia entry on Chad– most everything rings true, and its always a good laugh!

Greetings Rob!
Thanks for asking your students to watch and interact! One thing that you could do at Clackamas High School is watch the videos in your Jr and Sr classes. All you need is an internet connection! Did you find the resources for the viewing party to prep your kids with? Hope planning for Genocide Awareness Month and JP’s Oregon visit is building!

KTJ answering comments – Jan 15

Hi Rachel!

Your level of commitment matches that of Gabriel’s and it is inspiring to know that those you have met through i-ACT have changed your life forever. The energy and desire for life of Ahmet has kept me going many days when I felt like I hit a wall. Watching over and over again the smiling faces of Leila and others from camp Kounoungo reminds me of the spirit of those we have the power to help. I look forward to hearing your reflections and thoughts on this journey. Paz!

Becky!!!
I was so glad to see your entry! I hope that you are able to share this experience, which is also yours, with the NoPo and Hands On community! If you have time you and MJ could watch a video or two together – she needs the break from law school!
xoxoxo right back at you!

Mi Amiga Brenda!
My eyes began to water as I read your note this morning. You have traveled with me to so many places and felt the emotions of my journeys through letters and visits. I am so lucky to have such a good friend by my side as I head down this path! This time, though, no translation of my handwriting necessary – we have entered the tech world. Many thoughts of all our experiences and looking forward to sharing more of this one.

Welcome Ashley to our community!
Connecting with people like you – friends of friends – is one of the most inspiring parts of working to end the violence in Darfur. To be able to introduce you to our friends, who help keep our commitment levels and actions high, is the only way that the genocide in Darfur will end. Thank you for your words and support.

Uncle Dave and all those at Happy Day Ranch!
Thank you for your support and prayers from the snow! It is hot in N’Djamena and I am mentally preparing for hotter weather! Much of my commitment to human rights and ending injustice comes from our family – especially Bobbie and Ginny. I think all of us have a little bit of that in us – the courage to step outside our own lives.

Paz y Amor, KTJ

KTJ answering comments – Jan 14

Hey Mom!
Last July when we were at the family reunion and Connie, Yuen-Lin and Gabriel were bringing us i-ACT, I remember sitting with you and watching the videos and posting comments to the field team. Now our family will be united with those of Leila, Mansur, Ahmet, and the women of Darfur that SGN has connected with so many times now. Thank you for all your support (and prayers to baby Jesus) in this journey. I know you have the power to connect your community of SoCal with the communities we will meet in the coming days.

Greetings Maureen!
Thank you so much for your support not only us but for your daughter! She has been an amazing addition to the team, and all since we all met in DC for the torch relay. Much of the energy and courage she has must come from you. We look forward to passing this energy on to those we meet in the coming weeks.

Dear Grammie!
Love you forever, like you for always. The sun was bright through the curtains as we quickly gathered our belongings for the trip to UNHCR. Once outside many shades of brown – the ground, the walls enclosing structures, the structures themselves, it almost seemed as if the green leaves of trees were lightly dusted with sand. But many smiles and shouts across the street as we drove down one of the primary arteries of the city – the morning bustle was like many other cities the world around. I wrote more in today’s journal about the sites and smells that I experienced today!

The 9th works great for a party – perhaps in Newport on the beach?! Then Gabriel’s family could make it also.

FAMILIA STAURING – The ultimate soccer match goes down on the 9th for a pre-birthday party before I return to Portland. And, don’t worry you don’t need to go easy on my ‘cuz its my birthday…I don’t need that to win! Thanks Gabo and Irais for the greetings. Please give Gabo a (gentle) wrestle to the ground for me! Teresa and Connie, thank you for your dedication and commitment to not only Gabriel and SGN, but to the people of Darfur. Connie, they will surely ask about your when we are in Farchana – I will be sure to give Leila a hug from you.

Thanks, Nell! For the support back when we first met in New York and now today as we take this journey back to the camps. It’s great to know that we have community members like you with us all the way.

To my teammate Tiffany!
Thank you for all your support and encouragement since we met in Idaho almost 5 months ago now. You have added so much to our team including your great sense of humor, laughter and now Cory!  Thank you for spreading the word and encouraging others to get involved, although Mark never did buy that t-shirt! Hopefully my journal from today will give you a better idea of what it looks like here in the capital.

To my ‘cuz Isaac!
Thanks for all your support with the family. I, too, had a difficult conversation with Bob before I left. I do, however, know the family ultimately supports me in this journey and I hope some of them join, as you have! You know me well enough to know that fear and power, the very crux of why Darfurians are living in Chad, would not sway me from my passion. Thanks cousin!

Peace and luv from N’Djamena, KTJ

Gabriel Answering Comments—Jan 14 (part 2)

Hello Lars!

It’s great to see your name and comment. I still feel so attached to our O.net family and miss everyone a lot. We are definitely coming with the intention of deepening our relationships and making these relationships count now. There are so many people that want to help! We want to go beyond on-the-surface meetings of people and create mutually beneficial connections. I’m sorry, but I did not get any further word from the tiles in Canada. We are coming back soon, though, and I would love to help facilitate the peace tile connection. Let’s stay in touch!

Hola Gabo, Mimi, mi Zahas, e Irais!

:) Asta ahorita todo bien. Vamos a estar otro dia en N’Djamena y nos vamos para Abeche el Miercoles. Primero vamos al norte a un campamento cerca de el pueblito llamado Guereda. No vemos a la Hermosa Leila asta mas tarde en el viaje. Dile a Gabo que tengo sus regalos conmigo y que voy a encontrarle mas amigos en los otros campamento que vamos a visitar. Ya los extrano mucho pero es bien bonito ver que nos siguen. Irais, sigue entrenando porque nomas que regresemos Zahara y yo les vamos a dar una revolcada a ti y a KTJ en nuestro futbol de playa! Abrazos.

Hi Maureen aka T’s mom,

First, thank you so much for your daughter! She means so much to the team. Before leaving, she sent me a gift. It’s a bracelet that has a quote on it that says “We don’t only do this for these kids; we do it for our own.” She told me in a card that came with the bracelet that it’s something I said on the first i-ACT in 2005. I’m wearing that bracelet right now. It is so cool how she picked that quote because I so much believe that what we are doing is for my children. They should not grow up in a world that allows genocide. It should not be a matter of luck which children are meant to live a full life or meant to live a life of suffering, horrors, and even early death. Thank you for being supportive of what Tiffany has chosen to do; it will have an impact in so many lives.

Hey Nel:

Thank you for your note, and please stay with us.

Hey JC!

Thanks for always being with us on these trips and same for Gina and all your family. On this one, besides going to the camps, I’m looking forward to finding a nice hill to run up to. I’ve done it in previous trips, and the reward is amazing, just as it was when we’d go up our “cerro” in Monterrey. We’ll be in touch. Saludos to all the familia!

Hi Kathleen aka KTJ’s mom!

It has been so nice to have you and KTJ become “familia” and now extent our big family, which includes all SGN team and so many others we’ve met through this work, to include the beautiful people we meet at the camps. Thank you for being behind your daughter offering all of your support. I know she’s a pain at times, but she really appreciates and loves you :)

My dear Cynthia!

You are very much loved, and you are also a big reason for why I’m out here doing what I’m doing. From my beginning on O.net, I saw you as a role model and the prototype for the person that decides to act and not let obstacles stop you. Yes, let’s get together very soon. I have not been to Atlanta since I was just a baby, so it’s time. We can find a university or high school or your back yard, and we’ll set up Camp Darfur and maybe even smuggle in S’mores!