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| February 13, 2009 |
When I first arrived, the leaders of the tribes told me they didn’t want to dance and sing and tell old stories- because ’we are suffering” . Yes-they are in mourning. They have lost many, many loved ones. They have witnessed terrible things. They have lost their homes and villages and everything they had. They have been stuck in this camp for nearly 6 years—and the camp has been attacked. I know this. But the people here know me. I have visited this camp many times—they know I care, they know that I have been fighting for them—for their protection, for justice. For their safe return home. They know I come here in solidarity, and in respect. So, as we talked, and I said if we do not preserve the old traditions, the songs and stories and the ways of their grandparents, they will be lost forever. Omer Al-Bashir and co will have destroyed everything. But we cannot allow this. Let us do this together, for their children, and their children’s children. For the children of Darfur who do not know their homeland and their heritage. We will operate the camera, but this is for them. The museum will be theirs. Whatever they feel is important, they can bring it to us and we will preserve it.
And they came-tribe by tribe they came. Each day they arrived at the place we selected at the edge of the camp. They came in the thousands. Every day day they brought forth their treasures. Time and time again we were thanked for “reminding us to remember”. The little children were wide eyed. People laughed and wept. Honestly I have never known anything like it. The trust. And I will not let them down. Ever.