Darfur Dream Team Marks 1st Anniversary with Fundraising Successes

The Darfur Dream Team's Sister Schools program celebrated its one-year anniversary this week with the announcement that the program raised more than $300,000 to support six schools for Darfuri refugees in eastern Chad. The program has also received another $300,000 in pledges to support six other schools.

Knicks shooting guard and co-founder of Sister Schools Tracy McGrady was inspired to visit the camps after learning about the crisis from NBA legend Dikembe Mutumbo. In 2007, McGrady traveled to the region with Enough Co-founder John Prendergast.

“After spending time with children in the refugee camps, I was humbled and compelled to share their stories with the world,” said McGrady. “I wanted to do something different in order to help them. That is why we created the Darfur Dream Team.”

Upon their return, McGrady and Prendergast co-founded the Darfur Dream Team’s Sister Schools program. The funds and pledges will ultimately provide 22,000 children in the 12 Darfuri refugee camp schools with access to quality education.

Over 350 U.S. schools in 26 states have signed up to participate in the program.As Prendergast explained, “American students participating in the program are making an impact on the lives of Darfuri children, and also taking the opportunity to develop life-long bonds with their Darfuri peers.”

Photo: Darfuri children under a shelter (Enough/Omer Ismail)

• Sudan and South Sudan