Mara says everyone in the packed house left inspired to make a change in the world.

Two years ago, an idea was born in the Knoxville, Tenn., B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG) chapter, which is the female branch of BBYO. “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we planned a community-wide fundraiser dinner for Darfur?” we thought. The idea was phenomenal, yet for a long time it remained little more than a dream in the back of our minds. On April 13, 2008, however, that dream came true on a much greater scale than any of us had ever imagined.

Beginning the summer before, a core group of four girls came together determined to make our vision a reality. We knew what our goal was—we wanted to give people the knowledge, resources and desire to make a difference in their own lives while raising money for organizations that provide humanitarian aid and take action to stop the genocide. 

As the ideas sprung forth and our research continued voraciously, we realized that the genocide in Darfur was only one of the many problems plaguing Africa, so we decided to expand our focus and include other less-recognized causes as well. This expansion inspired the name of the evening, Delivering Justice, since our aim was to deliver social justice throughout Africa and teach attendees how to take steps toward making the future there brighter.

Our ideas grew even grander when we received a $1,500 grant from PANIM to make our event as amazing as possible. We decided to donate to two organizations to give our dinner a global and local impact: American Jewish World Service (AJWS) and the local charity Bridge Refugee and Sponsorship Services. Much to our delight, AJWS agreed to send Director of Advocacy Jodi Jacobson to speak at our event, while Bridge Services provided us with Angelo Mangok, a former “Lost Boy” of Sudan who was given a new life by its services.

Finally, the night of the dinner arrived. We began with an informational fair representing organizations such as Invisible Children, Charity: Water, Project Explorer, Free Rice, Save Darfur, Nothing But Nets and Tents of Hope, plus a jewelry sale and a petition- and letter-writing

Anita Henderlight speaks about her work with a girls' school in Sudan.

Dinner then commenced, and guests enjoyed their African feast of flatbread, traditional rice, salad, ground-nut stew and baked bananas. As we ate we listened to Sen. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, who described the atrocities occurring in Darfur and what our tax and investment dollars may be doing to fund that genocide. Next, local Sudanese priest Father Augustine thanked BBG for coordinating such a cross-cultural event, and Angelo Mangok reminded us that we have the power to make big changes.

Finally, Jodi Jacobson talked about how important a role people like our guests could play in creating change for the nation. Through donations, personal involvement and events like ours, she encouraged us to continue to make ourselves heard and keep the cause alive. 

By the end of all three speeches, the theme of the entire event had been reiterated—we can make change here and now. As part of this world, it’s up to us to create the change we want to see. It doesn’t take a world leader to create a movement; it simply takes the belief that change can come and the communal desire to strive for it.

After two years, the dream event had finally happened! Articles appeared in the paper over the next few days, and we received the 2008 “Seed of Change Award” from the Community Shares Circle of Change Awards in Tennessee. Donations continued to flow in even afterward, and we’ve so far raised $3,000. Although the night is over, change is just beginning. There are now 200 more people who know how much they can do to create change, and we can only hope they will have the same desire as we do.

 

Mara Hahn is a junior from Lenoir City, Tenn. She’ll never turn down a Degrassi marathon, and making ultra-super-extra-double-dark chocolate brownies with fudge icing is her specialty. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.