2008 sdc annual report
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Save Darfur Coalition's 2008 Annual Report - "Uniting Voices"TRANSCRIPT
SAVE DARFUR COALITION 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
Darfuri woman in refugee village in Chad.
We stand togetherand unite our voices
to raise public awarenessand mobilize a massive response
in Sudan’s western regionof Darfur.
to the atrocities
— Opening line from theSave Darfur Coalition Unity Statement
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Dear Friends,
When we started working on the Darfur crisis in 2004, few of us thought our work would remain necessary
today. But as millions of Darfuris still seek peace, protection and accountability, we must continue to
insist that their suffering cannot stand. We will not give up.
The conflict in Darfur and in Sudan is complex, yet at the same time, we should not lose sight of the
moral contours of the situation. The Sudanese government launched a sustained campaign of destruction
against the civilian population of particular ethnic groups as a counterinsurgency strategy. Along with
its militia allies, it caused hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths — either through violence or the
effects of disease and malnutrition.
A major moral issue of our time is whether “humanity” is in fact concerned with the suffering of
people in far away, difficult to understand places. Is there something in our shared humanity that can
bind us together, that can stimulate a response?
Many have stood with the Darfuri refugees I met in Chad — people who were desperate not to be
abandoned, people who believed that the world would not allow their lives and communities to be
consumed by flames and remain silent.
Although the lives of many Darfuris still hang in the balance, the hopes of those refugees have
not been futile. There has been an outcry from a broad and growing constituency of conscience in the
United States and increasingly around the world. Pressure on the Sudanese government has prevented
the loss of life in greater numbers. The lifeline for Darfuris is tenuous, but it is a lifeline, and it has
been made possible by the advocacy efforts of this constituency of conscience that has refused to
abandon the Darfuri people in their time of need.
Together, we are making a difference. Our advocacy remains vital, because the fact is that governments
will not act to protect civilians in another country — absent a compelling geopolitical reason — unless
there is a constituency of conscience that demands it.
And that may ultimately be the historical significance of the movement that is responding to Darfur.
It not only is responding to the needs and hopes of displaced and suffering Darfuris, but it is unifying
voices to demonstrate that the constituency of conscience exists. This constituency represents hope
for a future without genocide and crimes against humanity. And it serves to remind governments
everywhere that mass murder can be confronted with mass empathy, and that those who are suffering
will not be abandoned.
Sincerely,
Jerry Fowler
President, Save Darfur Coalition
LETTER FROM JERRY FOWLER PRESIDENT, SAVE DARFUR COALITION
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DARFUR BY THE NUMBERS
5Number of years since the crisis in Darfur was labeled a genocide by the U.S. government
300,000Death toll from both direct and indirect causes estimated by the United Nations
1,000,000+Number of people who have joined the Save Darfur online advocacy movement
Galap women gather to request a well.
3,000,000Number of Darfuris, estimated by the United Nations, who have lost their homes since the start of the conflict
3,500,000+Number of men, women and children in the Darfur region reliant on humanitarian aid
130,000,000Number of people represented by the coalition’s more than 190 member organizations
BACKGROUND on the Genocide in DarfurIn 2003, after decades of neglect, drought, oppression
and small-scale conflicts in Sudan’s western region
of Darfur, two rebel groups mounted an insurgency
against Sudan’s central government. In response, the
regime of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and its
allied militia, known as the Janjaweed, launched a
campaign of destruction against civilians of similar
ethnic background as the rebels. They wiped out
entire villages, destroyed food and water supplies,
and systematically murdered, tortured and raped
thousands of Darfuris.
Few Darfuris have been spared the violence, which
continues today. The United Nations estimates that
this campaign of destruction has claimed hundreds
of thousands of lives. As many as 2.7 million Darfuris
have fled their homes and reside in dangerous inter-
nally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Darfur, and
another 300,000 are refugees in neighboring Chad.
These Darfuris are completely dependent on the United
Nations and other humanitarian organizations for even
their basic needs — food, water, shelter and health
care. Approximately 3 million Darfuris still live in their
villages, under the threat of bombings, raids, murder,
rape and torture.
ABOUT the Save Darfur CoalitionIn response to the crisis in Darfur, the Save Darfur
Coalition was founded at the Darfur Emergency
Summit at CUNY Graduate Center in New York City on
July 14, 2004. What began as a meeting organized by
the United States Holocaust Museum and American
Jewish World Service has grown into a network of more
than 190 faith-based, advocacy and human rights
organizations with more than 1 million activists and
hundreds of community groups committed to ending
the genocide in Darfur.
The mission of the coalition is to raise public
awareness and mobilize a massive response to the
atrocities in Darfur. By engaging and educating
Americans on the situation in Darfur, the coalition
applies political pressure on elected leaders to end
the first genocide of the 21st century.
Save Darfur Coalition is headquartered in Washington D.C.,
with a staff of 25 professional organizers, policy advisors
and communications specialists.
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— Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Save Darfur’s efforts topressure the administration and Congress
have had a tremendous impact.and keep the issue alive
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PARTNER ORGANIZATIONSThe Save Darfur Coalition works with a network of more than 190 community and organizational partners
representing 130 million Americans. Partner groups include national human rights, justice, faith and
advocacy organizations that contribute their subject expertise, diverse networks and resources to ending
the Darfur genocide.
Though the groups represent different political beliefs, religious backgrounds and ethnicities, they are united
in their efforts to end the Darfur genocide. Partners such as the ENOUGH Project and Genocide Intervention
Network collaborate with the coalition to develop policy positions and papers. Organizations such as Amnesty
International USA and Human Rights First encourage their networks to sign petitions, write letters and host
awareness-building events across the country.
Unifying Voices. Building the Constituency of Conscience.
All partner organizations are committed to the following Save Darfur Coalition goals:
Ending the violence against civilians;
Facilitating adequate and unhindered humanitarian aid;
Establishing conditions for the safe and voluntary return of displaced people to their homes;
Promoting the long-term sustainable development of Darfur; and
Holding the perpetrators accountable.
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INTERFAITH ACTIVISMFaith communities have played a critical role in the
development of the Save Darfur Coalition, feeling
compelled by their faiths to respond to the genocide
in Darfur. The Islamic Society of North America, the
National Council of Churches, American Jewish World
Service and Sojourners are among the faith-based
groups that make up nearly half of the coalition’s
partner organizations. The coalition provides tailored,
faith-related materials to these partners so that they
can effectively engage their communities in Darfur
activism. Whether through sermons, prayer services,
petition signing or rally attendance, these congregations
of conscience stand with the people of Darfur and call
on the U.S. government to take action.
ONLINE ADVOCACYThe coalition’s community of online activists has grown
from 30,000 in January 2006 to more than 1 million
people. A mix of grassroots organizing, rapid-response
e-advocacy efforts, online advertising campaigns,
high levels of friend-to-friend recruitment and the
coordination of television, print, TV and radio advertising
campaigns powered the growth. The Save Darfur
Coalition also uses new media and social networking
sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to spread
awareness and engage larger audiences. Through
online advocacy efforts, millions of messages related
to Darfur policy have been delivered to U.N. and U.S.
government officials. To sign up for our e-mail list,
visit www.SaveDarfur.org.
(Top) Left photo, Darfuris rally on the National Mall; (Top)
Right photo, Advocates rally in front of the Chinese Embassy
in Washington, D.C.; (Bottom) Left photo, Then-Sen. Barack
Obama speaks at Save Darfur rally; (Bottom) Right photo,
2008 Save Darfur Coalition Activist Conference.
COMMUNITIES UNITED FOR DARFUR & DARFUR ACTIVIST LEADERSIndividuals working together are more effective than individuals working alone, which is why the coalition created
the Communities United to Save Darfur program. This network of hundreds of local groups represents a diverse mix
of people across the country who have joined together to advocate for the people of Darfur and to educate their
communities about the ongoing conflict.
The Save Darfur Coalition provides an online forum and in-person opportunities for leaders in the Darfur
movement to strategize, build capacity and create effective advocacy. In their communities, these Darfur Activist
Leaders share their expertise in organizing, mobilize people to take action, and actively shape the Darfur movement.
The coalition provides these activists with tools and resources to help them organize effective advocacy
activities in their communities. The coalition encourages activists to plan events, write persuasive opinion pieces
and lobby elected officials.
political beliefs, religious backgrounds, and ethnicities,
they are united in their effortsto end the Darfur genocide.
Though the groups represent different
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Darfuri boy in refugee village in Chad.
While eating at an Applebee’s restaurant in rural western
Massachusetts, high school students Ana Slavin and
Nick Anderson created Dollars for Darfur as a way to have
young people’s voices heard on Capitol Hill and in the
camps and villages of Darfur. Using emerging technology,
social networking sites and creative campaigns — concerts,
walk-a-thons and raffles — high school and middle school
students across the country raised $148,883 for both
humanitarian organizations and advocacy efforts of the
Save Darfur Coalition during the 2007-2008 school year.
In the words of Ana and Nick, “Dollars for Darfur has
proven to the world that our generation has a profound
desire to make a difference. We will inherit a world full
of problems, and we have shown that we are ready for
the challenge.”
While Jon Brian was a high school student, he started the
non-profit organization A Car for Darfur (www.acarfordarfur.
com) with the help of several of his classmates. The
organization’s mission was to restore a 1998 Chevrolet
Camero to be sold at an auction, with the proceeds
benefiting Save Darfur. Jon partnered with Goodguys Rod
and Custom Association, and his organization was able to
set up a booth at local events to solicit donations for the
project and additional sponsorships. In total, A Car for
Darfur raised more than $2,000 for Darfur advocacy. “The
most important lesson that we took away from this project
was that the best way to help the world at large is through
a medium that you are interested in,” wrote Jon. “For us,
the best way was through the automotive world.”
A few months before their wedding, Miriam and Jacob
Hodesh of Savannah, Georgia made the spontaneous decision
to delete their wedding registry and instead request that
their guests, if they so chose, make a donation to the
Save Darfur Coalition. In total, their friends and family
raised more than $20,000. “Some people didn’t under-
stand why two white Jewish kids from the Midwest would
suggest donations be made to their black African brothers
and sisters many miles away,” said Miriam and Jacob.
“Our answer was that we are all brothers and sisters.”
(Top) Left photo, Miriam and Jacob Hodesh (photo by David A.
Ziser); (Bottom) Left photo, Jon Brian and classmates; (Bottom)
Right photo, Nick Anderson and Ana Slavin.
DARFUR HEROESEach month, the coalition honors one outstanding activist as a Darfur Hero and features the activist’s
story on the Save Darfur blog. By recognizing those individuals who have helped build the
movement, people across the country are inspired to develop unique awareness and fundraising
tactics for Darfur advocacy.
— Miriam and Jacob Hodesh
to make an immediate impact,
We just need to open our eyes,take risks and challenge the status quo.
and help others around the world.
We all have the power
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AMPLIFYING VoIces.DARFURI DIASPORAThe Save Darfur Coalition continuously works to amplify the voices of Darfuris, which are often drowned out. Darfuri
and Sudanese leaders are an instrumental part of the coalition’s staff, board, and partner and activist networks.
These leaders and their communities, both in the U.S. and in Sudan, play a key role in developing the coalition’s
policy objectives and campaign strategies.
In 2007, Save Darfur helped form the Darfuri Leaders Network (DLN), which connects Darfuri communities
across the U.S. and allows them to advocate on Darfur with a united voice. The coalition regularly facilitates the
DLN’s release of joint statements on timely issues and helps promote Darfuri spokespeople in the media. The goal
of these efforts is to provide forums for Darfuris to articulate a way forward for their own country.
In July 2008, the Save Darfur Coalition worked with
the Darfur Relief and Documentation Center to organize
a conference of Darfuri civil society leaders in Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania to discuss ways to advance the
peace process.
In September 2008, the coalition also assisted in
hosting a Ramadan iftar — or breaking of the fast — with
the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
during the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
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DOMESTIC ADVOCACYThe Save Darfur Coalition works closely with Congress
to help ensure that elected leaders support policies
helpful to the people of Darfur. The coalition has
helped develop and advocate for the deployment
of peacekeeping forces in Darfur, U.S. funding for
humanitarian support, and increased awareness in
Congress of how violence against women is used as
a weapon of genocide.
INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACYEngagement of the U.S. government alone will not
suffice to find a solution to the Darfur conflict. To build
a multilateral push to bring peace to Darfur and all of
Sudan, the coalition works closely with international
partner and civil society organizations in Europe, Africa
and the Middle East, and provides advice and support
for the U.N. chief mediator on the peace process in
Doha. Coalition staff members also meet with high-level
officials at NATO, the European Union, the African Union,
the Arab League, the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping
Operations and the U.N. Human Rights Council. These
efforts, coupled with participation in international
conferences, help promote the coalition’s policies.
MEDIA RELATIONSIn an effort to expand and amplify advocacy efforts,
the coalition’s media outreach increases the profile of
the Darfur crisis for activists as well as policy makers.
Coalition staff, briefing materials and journalist trips
to the region guide and inform Darfur media coverage
— consistently pressing for sound policy positions
that help the people of Darfur. Informative, timely
and impactful news articles and editorials have been
published in leading print publications, including The
Washington Post, The New York Times and Los Angeles
Times. Additionally, Save Darfur representatives and
partners have appeared on leading news outlets
including CNN, ABC News, Al-Jazeera, BBC World
News and CNBC.
(Top) Left photo, Save Darfur Coalition officials present a
petition signed by 55,000 activists asking the U.N. Security
Council to keep its promises to Darfur; (Bottom) Left photo,
Darfuris attend iftar in New York with chief prosecutor of the
International Criminal Court; (Bottom) Center photo, Rep. Joe
Wilson (R-SC) meets with Dollars for Darfur activists (photo
by Pete Muller); (Bottom) Right photo, International Criminal
Court chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo receives words of
support and thanks from Darfuri diaspora leaders in New York
(photo by Meryl Tihanyi).
Key 2008 Accomplishments:• Led efforts to secure hundreds of millions of dollars
in U.S. funding for peacekeeping and diplomatic efforts in Darfur
• Secured a joint statement on Darfur from then-Sens. Obama, Clinton and Sen. McCain. This was the first presidential candidate foreign policy joint statement since FDR and Dewey in 1944, and empowers activists to hold President Obama and his administration accountable for his promises
• Organized the Arab Coalition for Darfur, the first international coalition of Arab NGOs working together to press their governments for strong, positive action on Darfur
will pursue these goals
are not in place when one of us is inaugurated
as President on January 20, 2009we pledge that the next Administration
If peace and security for the people of Sudan
with unstinting resolve.– Then Sens. Obama, Clinton and Sen. McCain (May 2008)
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NatioNal orgaNizatioNs
Affiliation of Christian Engineers
AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers
AFL-CIO Solidarity Center
Africa Faith and Justice Network
Alliance of Baptists
American Anti-Slavery Group
American Humanist Association
American Islamic Congress
American Islamic Forum for Democracy
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish World Service
American Society for Muslim Advancement
Americans for Democracy in the Middle-East
Americans for Democratic Action
Amnesty International USA
Anti-Defamation League
Arab American Institute
Armenian Assembly of America
Armenian Church of America
Armenian National Committee of America
B’nai B’rith International
Bread for the World
Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Christian Solidarity International
Church Alliance for a New Sudan – Institute for Religion and Democracy
Church World Service
Citizens for Global Solutions
Coalition for American Leadership Abroad (COLEAD)
Community of Christ
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations
Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations
Council for Secular Humanism
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Cush Community Relief International
Dallas Peace Center
Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy
Darfur Association in the USA
Darfur Community Organization
Darfur Human Rights Organization of the U.S.A
Darfur Peace and Development Organization
Darfur Rehabilitation Project
Dear Sudan
Edah, Inc.
The Enough Project
Episcopal Church, USA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Faithful America
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Foundation for Ethnic Understanding
Freedom Quest International
Genocide Intervention Network
Genocide Watch
Global Justice
Hadassah
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Help Darfur Now, Inc.
Hillel
Human Rights First
IKAR
Institute for the Study of Genocide
International Justice Mission
Investors Against Genocide
Islamic Society of North America
Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Healthcare International
Jewish Labor Committee
Jewish Reconstruction Federation
Jewish World Watch
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
Jubilee Campaign
Kesher
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Lott Carey International
Lutheran World Relief
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
Medjugorje International Relief
Mennonite Central Committee
Metropolitan Community of Churches
Muslim Public Affairs Council
My Sister’s Keeper
NA’AMAT USA
NAACP
National Association of Evangelicals
National Black Church Initiative
National Black Law Students Association
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
National Jewish Democratic Council
National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness
NetAid
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Open Doors USA
Operation Sudan
Operation USA
ORT America
Passion of the Present
Pax Christi USA
Peace Action and Peace Action Education Fund
Physicians for Human Rights
Presbyterian Church USA
Project Islamic H.O.P.E.
Rabbinical Assembly
Rabbis for Human Rights North America
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Refugees International
Religions for Peace USA
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Res Publica – 24 Hours for Darfur
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Associates
Social Action Committee of the Congress of Secular Judaism
SocialAction.com
Society for Humanistic Judaism
Society for Threatened Peoples
Sojourners
Southern Sudanese Voices for Freedom
STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition
Stop Genocide Now
Sudan Human Rights Organization (SHRO)
Teachers Against Prejudice
The E.T.H.I.C.
The Hunger Site
The Shalom Center
Tikkun
TransAfrica Forum
Ukrainian American Coordinating Council
Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Traditional Judaism
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO)
United Jewish Communities
United Macedonian Diaspora
United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA)
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
United States-Armenia Public Affairs Committee (USAPAC)
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Vaishnava Center for Enlightenment
Ve’ahavta
Western Sudan Aid Relief in the USA
Women of Reform Judaism
Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children
Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring
World Evangelical Alliance
Yenza
Young Democrats of America Jewish Caucus
COALITION PARTNERS
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rEgioNal orgaNizatioNs
African Mutual Assistance Association of Missouri
All Saints Church in Pasadena
Board of Rabbis of Northern California
Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan
Canadian Council for Reform Judaism
Canadian Federation of Jewish Students
Canadian Jewish Congress
CASTS (Canadians Against Slavery and Torture in Sudan)
Chicago Coalition to Save Darfur
Cleveland Diocesan Social Action Office & Diocese
Congregation Beth Or
Connecticut Coalition to Save Darfur
Darfur Alert Coalition
Democrats for Life of New York
District of Columbia Baptist Convention
Holocaust Museum and Study Center (NY)
Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
Interfaith Council of the Inland Northwest
Jewish Community Federation of Richmond
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Dallas
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco
Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey
Jewish Federation of Greater Houston
Jewish Federation of Tulsa
Mason-Dixon Darfur Alliance
Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur
New Vision Partners, Inc.
New York Board of Rabbis
New York Society for Ethical Culture
Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition
Progressive Jewish Alliance
Save Darfur Coalition of South Palm Beach
STAND Canada
Texans for Peace
UJA Federation of New York
Washington Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Western Massachusetts Darfur Coalition
Officers Of the BOard
CHAirperSoN
Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, M.D.My Sister’s Keeper
ViCe-CHAirperSoN
Sam BellGenocide Intervention Network
SeCretAry
Omer IsmailDarfur Peace and Development
treASurer
Mike EdingtonWellspring Advisors
directOrs
Dr. Mahmoud BraimaDarfuri Leaders Network
Rev. Richard CizikNational Association of Evangelicals
Dr. Stephen ColecchiUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Zeinab EyegaSauti Yetu Center for African Women
Rev. David Emmanuel Goatley, Ph.D.Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention
Rabbi Steve GutowJewish Council for Public Affairs
Dr. Antonios KireopoulosNational Council of Churches
Ruth MessingerAmerican Jewish World Service
John PrendergastThe Enough Project at the Center for American Progress
Jill SavittDream for Darfur
Scott WarrenSTAND, A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition
Dr. James ZogbyArab American Institute
2008 Board of Directors*
* Affiliations for identification purposes only.
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OVERHEAD RATE
totAL reVeNue 7,507,724
G&A/Fundraising 1,852,180
policy, education, Advocacy 5,655,544
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED: SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION: SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
SUPPORT AND REVENUE
Contributions:
Individual 5,978,982
Direct Mail 1,141,350
Merchandise sales: 442,123
Less: cost of goods sold (174,836)
interest income and other 120,105
totAL 7,507,724
ExPENSES
programs:
Policy and government relations 1,252,294
Education and awareness 2,874,856
Advocacy 3,336,360
Supporting services:
Management and general 802,788
Fundraising 1,049,392
totAL 9,315,690
Change in net assets (1,807,966)
Net assets, beginning of year 4,663,720
Net assets, end of year 2,855,754
24.67%
75.33%
Many of the photos selected for this
publication were included with
permission from Mia Farrow.
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 3,287,390
Account receivable – Team Darfur 36,156
Inventory 177,657
property and equipment, net 110,877
other assets – Deposit 10,415
totAL ASSetS 3,622,495
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
766,741
Net Assets:
Unrestricted 2,855,754
totAL LiABiLitieS AND Net ASSetS
3,622,495
BUSINESS CARD HERE
SAVE DARFUR COALITION 1025 CONNECTICUT AVE., NW I SUITE 310 I WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
P 800.917.2034 I 202.556.2100
EMAIL [email protected]
WWW.SAVEDARFUR.ORG