Darfur Dream Team Presses for Sudan Refugee Kids

Tracy McGrady might not make the US Olympic basketball squad next summer in London, but that isn’t stopping him from leading the Dream Team.

The Darfur Dream Team, a group of NBA players headed by the former Houston Rocket, is partnering with humanitarian organizations like the Enough Project to create the Sister School Program, an initiative that aims to fund educational programs in Eastern Chad’s refugee camps, where over 250 000 people from Sudan’s Darfur region have been forced to seek shelter for nearly a decade.

Human rights activist and co-founder of the Enough Project, John Pendergast was at the UN to discuss the initiative during a book launch for What You Wish For, a collection of short stories from internationally renowned children’s authors, released by the nonprofit Book Wish Foundation. 

The Book Wish Foundation will donate 100% proceed from book sales to help UN High Commissioner for Refugees develop and fund libraries in refugee camps in Chad.

The idea for the Darfur Dream Team Sister School Program came about after Pendergast travelled to the region with McGrady in 2007 and both spent time talking with children in refugee camps. Pendergast says the importance of access to educations was emphasized by nearly every child they spoke to. 

“Their choices in a long term refugee situation are bleak. In the absence of quality education, they perceived themselves to have no future.” he said.

UNHCR’s New York director Udo Janz says educational resources in the camps are  scarce, and while 88% of camp children are enrolled in elementary school programs , the number of them able to pursue secondary education is only around  2%.

Although education for Sudanese refugees has for the most part taken a back seat to other priority issues, Pendergast says the long term benefits of educational programs for children who grow up in camps can’t be neglected.

“We could, yes, just focus on the policies that would stop the problem. And yes, we need to get food and medicine to people, but we also need to acknowledge and lift up the dreams and aspirations that young people have.” he said. “Having the opportunity to go into a little room, and be able to go off into other worlds, and read and be challenged and excited by other cultures and other ideas is terribly important for building a future set of people who are going to govern the country down the road.” 

Pendergast says the Sister School Program wants to go beyond typical fundraising initiatives by creating direct relationships between students and encouraging dialogue.

“Suddenly these refugees, who are to most American citizens far away victims, become people that young people in the United States are getting to know and can advocate on behalf of and in support of in the future.”

So far, 26 American schools have taken part in the program’s initial technical trials, with students exchanging messages, pictures and videos with their African counterparts. Program coordinators are currently working to find partners in the telecommunications industry to help develop cost effective ways of connecting camps in Eastern Chad to American classrooms.

Over 275 US schools in 41 different states have signed up for the program. Teachers interested in taking part can find more information on the Darfur Dream Team website.

White House Gaggle

White House Gaggle
Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush had his normal briefings this morning at 8 am. At 1.05 pm, he will participate in a photo op with the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion. He has also has a series of private meetings and policy time at 11 am.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.15 pm today.

Super Tuesday

When asked if the President will stay up and watch the results come in, Perino said that she expects him to do what he usually does, which is watching a little bit of it but not stay up late and watch all the commentary. Perino said: “I think that there are a lot of unknown and fun to watch... Before there is a clear nominee, he is not going to comment on it. “

Russia

Perino was asked if the Administration was aware of the Russian prime minister candidate Mr. Medveded saying that Russia should emulate China in having its business invests in technology in other countries. Perino said that she had not heard those comments but the White House was aware and follow it.

France

Perino was asked if President Bush called the French President Sarkozy to congratulate him on his new marriage. Perino said that they have not spoken, however, the President and Mrs. Bush wish the newly weds well.

Chad

In response to a question on updates on the situation in Chad, Perino directed to the State Department and added that it is a very troubling situation and a lot of work needs to be done. “We remain very concerned. “ In a follow up a question regarding people leaving Darfur and going in to Chad, the refugee problem, and the UN’s request to the US for more assistance; Perino again referred to the State Department. “We have provided a significant amount of equipment and resources to that region, and we call on other countries to act as well,“ Perino said.

Prince Andrew

Perino was asked if the White House has a comment to British Prince Andrew’s statement that President Bush failed to listen to Britain during the Iraq war. Perino declined to comment.

Perino Speech

When asked about the speech she is giving later today at the National Italian-American Foundation, Perino said that she will speak of the President’s compassion agenda, the upcoming trip to Africa, and touch on the two pressing agendas; the economy and the FISA reauthorization.