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Global Citizen: Dr. Ashis Brahma
Campus visitor encourages international citizenry
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Humor, resilience and dignity; three words that symbolize hope for the 300,000 Sudanese refugees forced into Chad refugee camps just 2 miles away from their homes.
With 12 million people on the run and constant struggle to reach loved ones, relatives, or simple personal belongings, our Sudanese friends from nearly 6,500 miles away are telling their story and Dr. Ashis Brahma is here to guide us in this international language lesson. Brahma comes to us as a medical doctor with threads of compassion, enthusiasm and friendship as he unfolds the truths of the Darfur genocide.
If you were anywhere near the Student Union Building Tuesday afternoon, you probably heard the rhythms of the earth drumming their way to Darfur, along with Brahma’s dance moves.
Brahama is no ordinary man; in fact, when asked where he comes from, he says “I’m Dutch, I’m Indian, I’m a human being.” Yet, according to some, Brahma has made BSU and other local organizations take a step back and reflect into what we really are doing with our lives.
Student Gabe Murphy, junior Political-Science major and former ASBSU Senator, introduced Dr. Brahma onto stage Tuesday night with a melancholic tone.
He [Brahma] has worked in 10 countries throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. He was the sole doctor to 27,000 refugees. and his experiences have helped to touch many in their search for understanding and empowerment to do something as well. In Brahma’s speech, shared with approximately 250 attendees, Ashis challenged us to step up to do something that is unacceptable in our world.
That is exactly what Gabe Murphy did over 2 weeks ago when he first heard about Brahma’s upcoming visit. Murphy reached out to ASBSU asking for financial support to organize this event and share the stories of Sudanese refugees. He created a Facebook event and worked with over six BSU and community organizations, namely, ASBSU, The Arbiter, Idaho Darfur Coalition, Volunteer Services Board, and the Cultural Center.
It’s also students like Gabe that have inspired some to start clubs recognizing global causes like Invisible Children. Now Gabe has started another club, Human Rights Awareness Club. He hopes in the future this club can sponsor other events like Brahma’s speech that highlight terribly important international crimes against humanity.
Brahma wasn’t alone on stage nor is he when he travels around the country giving over 150 talks. Tuesday night he shared the stage with two more guests; one Sudanese refugee, Yunis, and another inspiring Congolese refugee, Fidel Nshombo. These two men 30 and 26 years alike, have undergone horrific tragedies being misplaced from their home, family and forced to find food and shelter all while dodging bullets. Nshombo recited his poetry which brought many to tears.
He softly spoke about the feeling of being a refugee, “Many people feel ashamed of being refugees, others feel minimized or neglected.but until we know how much it has impacted our lives, we’ll never stand in front of people and proudly shock them with our fascinating experiences.” Yunis and Fidel are just two of the millions of people worldwide that have a story and are willing to share. They urge us to learn more about these travesties in life and to help rescue this global consciousness of its people.
Brahma pushes us to stand up for those things in which we really believe. He jokes “you don’t have to be Angelina Jolie to make a difference,” just befriend our African neighbors and help them learn about using an ATM or watch a movie together. With simplicity, he advocates for the future of Sudan’s children and wants to make clear that children should not have to be afraid. With dignity, resilience, and humor, Brahma and his fellowship are reaching out making magnificent change around the world.
To make a commitment to stopping these acts in Darfur or any other region in the world, please come out to celebrate Global Day for Darfur, Saturday, April 11 at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial at 11 am. Supporters can also look online at Brahma’s website, ashsi.org or learn more through his foundation, Phoenix Global Humanitarian Foundation (pdhf.org), or other sites: idahodarfurcoalition.org and addyourvoice.org.
BRETT BERNING
Arbiter Journalist
