Cheshire Students Stand Against Genocide

Members of Purple Team have studied the Darfur genocide for five years. In that time they've raised money to purchase solar cookers for refugees, plant a memorial tree at the school and install a nearby plaque in memory of the victims in Darfur.

Those efforts culminated this spring with the publication of a book about El-Fadel Arbab, the Darfur refugee whose story of survival ignited the students' efforts. Arbab visited the school beginning in 2008 to tell his story of survival after his village in the Darfur region of Sudan was destroyed.

The book, "Adu, My Grandfather Said, Climb a Tree and Look for the Light," was unveiled last week at Dodd as part of a book signing event with Arbab. 

The book is dedicated, in part, to Dodd students who:

"... used every available medium to research the genocide in Darfur and to teach it to your peers... You are an inspiration in your passion and perseverance in raising awareness about the genocide in Darfur,"

- Author Lauren Kempton.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on five counts of crimes against humanity. "We will try to get him to court. That's when change will come. When al-Bashir is gone, it will bring justice," Arbab said. 

Editor's note: Part II of "Cheshire Students Stand Against Genocide" will run on Tuesday with students' and teachers' memories of the project.