Some answers...

I received an email from the Pemberton Township High School Future Business Leaders of America recently. I just want to thank them for the great work they have been doing. They will be presenting their organization, "Second Chance for Darfur's Kids" at the state competition soon and asked me the following questions in preparation for this. I think that these are questions some other people might have as well. Thanks again for everything you are doing!

1) What inspired you to go to Egypt and work with the refugee?

I never thought I would end up in Egypt working with refugees- that wasn't in my "plan." However, in January 2006, I went with a group of students from my university to Egypt to study Christianity and Islam for 3 weeks. As part of our tour, we visited an organization called Refuge Egypt which serves African refugees. I didn't really know about the refugee situation facing Sudan and especially their lives in Cairo until that point. I was so inspired by the visit, that I helped my professor organize a returning trip the following January, with the intent of just working at Refuge Egypt. We spent 3 weeks working in different departments of the organization and I fell in love with the youth team there. I began teaching English and doing some gang outreach. Through this time, I established great friendships and a desire to serve refugees. This led me to return shortly after my graduation in June for a month. Yet, again I decided that I liked this so much that I deferred law school for a year and returned in September. The people I have met, the things I have done, and the opportunities I have experienced have inspired me to serve the refugees and continue to do so.

2) How has our donation helped?
FBLA's donation has helped tremendously here in Cairo and even back in Pemberton. The $850 has gone to paying rent and electricity bills as well as giving teachers the money they haven't received for several months. This has helped boost their morale as they were becoming frustrated with not receiving a salary. The money they received will keep them teaching at Gugu for a few more months. The largest expense at the school is rent and your money has gone to helping that process as well. The refugees have been extremely grateful for these donations. The money came at the right time too. The school was facing many uncertainties during the holiday break and wasn't sure how it was going to continue. This money allowed them to have a fresh start beginning in January.

Your donation has also had a positive impact on our community. Pemberton doesn't have the reputation of "helping others." I've talked to some people and your work has given them a positive impression of our high school and students. It has even inspired others to start doing some work as well. It shows that Pemberton students do care and can make a difference.

3) What impact has this type of community service made on your life?

Community service is my life. I don't think it always comes in the forms of participating in an event, joining a club, or donating money, but rather having the desire to help others. I have learned much more from serving others than I would from serving myself. This type of community service - giving a year to just volunteering- has helped me refocus my goals, develop long lasting relationships, and view the world in a new lens. I know that a lot of people say that volunteerism can change your life, but it is absolutely true.

The Sudanese have taught me to love whole heartedly, to be grateful for everything that you have, and to never lose hope. Sometimes I'm having dinner with a friend and I'll think to myself, "This person has gone through the same things that we see everyday on the news about war in Africa, yet we are sharing pizza and sharing laughs- we are the same." These people are not just distant figures on a late night news channel, they are my friends, my coworkers, and my second family. It's going to be hard to say goodbye in a few months, but I know that I will continue to serve others in different capacities. I can no longer sit back and ignore the situations of those around me who need help.

4) What impact has this type of community service made on the refugees' life?

Refugees have faced hardships unimaginable to any American. Not only are they forced to flee their home country, but then they come to Cairo and face racism, discrimination, and poor living conditions. However, it is the help of community service organizations, coupled with their ambitions and outlook, that is their survival. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees only can provide so much assistance. It has become the responsibility of grassroots non profits to help with the rest. For example, refugee children cannot attend Egyptian schools because of the harassment they will face, so the only alternative to receiving any education is through schools like the Gugu Learning Center. Jobs are linked to nonprofits as well as medical care. Community service by those outside the community and other refugees is the backbone to life in Cairo. Even though the refugees are live a life around the service of others and themselves, there is never a moment that they aren't grateful.

Also, thank you to the Pemberton Soccer Club for supporting my work. You can visit www.pembertonsoccerclub.com to see their write up about what I am doing here.

It is so encouraging to know that people back home are supporting me.