For anyone interested in getting more information on the University High School Darfur fundraiser:

From the website:

University High Students Fight Genocide in Darfur

Student-led “Genocide Project” Aims to Raise $10,000 for Victims

1/11/2007

Nearly 2,000 University High School students and staff will gather tomorrow morning to remember Martin Luther King, Jr. and apply King’s messages of social conscience to launch the second phase of the student-led Genocide Project. Dramatic lighting, music, a multi-media presentation and narratives will be used to illustrate the atrocities of genocide and spur the school audience to action.

The all-school assembly is scheduled on January 12 at 9 a.m. in the gymnasium of University High School, 12420 E. 32nd Avenue, in the Central Valley School District.

Although the second phase of the project - call to action - begins tomorrow, students have already raised more than $5,000 from local businesses and individuals to benefit the genocide victims in the Darfur region of Sudan. The students will be selling $5 Darfur T-shirts they designed and produced to reach their fundraising goal. More than 70 students are involved in this student-led campaign to motivate fellow students, faculty and the community to assist the Sudanese victims through charitable funding.

This first phase of the Genocide Project – education - began last week as students returned to school from their winter break. Large graphic murals and signage depicting the victims of five genocides of the 20th century and the genocide in Darfur line the walls of the school. Earlier this week, students heard a presentation by a fellow student about genocide and discussed the issue in their classes.

“I can’t be more impressed with our kids and their work to make all of us more aware of the horrific human rights abuses in Darfur,” said Daryl Hart, principal. “This has grown into a passion of the student body which is spreading all over the school. In all my years as an educator, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything take root and spread so quickly.”

The Genocide Project will conclude in late February with the third and final phase – results. Students will hold “A Day of Conscience” to highlight the difference made by students, faculty and community members who supported the project. The entire school will wear their T-shirts and a check will be presented to Care, an organization directly involved in providing humanitarian aid to the Sudanese people.

For more information or to make a donation to the project, contact Paul Schneider, social studies teacher and student advisor, at (509) 228-5273.