“Bullets were pouring from the sky like rain”
“Mothers carried their dead children on their backs so that they could bury them when they stopped running.”
“I miss my aunts. Uncles. My brother. My grandmother. Many, many more. I lost 45 family members in one week.”
“I am lucky that I am here, but I think of all the ones that are not.”
Quotes from Oumda’s story, remembering the escape from Darfur more than 13 years ago. He helped thousands make it to safety.
It’s important for us, as humans, to remember that refugees do not choose to become refugees. No one chooses to have their lives and homes destroyed. It is also important to know that despite their experiences, they are full of energy, ideas, capacity, and hope. They can and should lead themselves to a better future. The world needs to be there, open and loving, with support. “They” could be us.
Peace, Gabriel