Suppport UWC alumn Abu in Chad after fleeing war-torn Sudan

Hello! As former high school classmates of Abuobida Alrsheed (UWC Southern Africa, Class of 2017) we are reaching out to you on his behalf, at his request, to share his story and gather support for him and his mother, who have fled the devastating war in Sudan and are now living in extremely precarious conditions in a refugee camp in Eastern Chad. Please consider donating or sharing to help our friend get out of these conditions and make a better life for himself.

Abu and his classmates on "UWC Day" (2016)

Since the outbreak of war in West Darfur, Abu has shown tremendous courage in protecting his mother, escaping targeted violence, and continuing to serve others despite severe hardship. He urgently needs help to rebuild basic shelter, buy food, and keep his mother safe through the coming rainy season. Below is a message from Abu in his own words:

Hello my UWC family and friends and other good people,

I'm Abuobida Alrsheed (Abu), a graduate from UWC Southern Africa, Class of 2017. After graduating, I went back to my home country, Sudan, where I started volunteering teaching English Language in educational institutions for primary, high secondary school and sometimes doing revision for some university students. I did all this to help my community not to suffer in English as I did at my college. And I am proud that one of my students is now attending UWC and currently studying at a university in the US.

As I was planning to open a language school in my beloved city, the war broke out in my country and spread to my hometown. Since that time, my family and I have been living in unimaginable fear and hardship. Every day we heard sounds of gunshots and explosions, and cries of children and women everywhere in my city, West Darfur State (El-Geneina).

We lost our home, our belongings, and our sense of safety. Food became scarce. My mom told me I had to leave for a safe place. So I had to leave my family and everything behind. Some good friends helped me and I got into a vehicle, hiding and trying to reach safety. The journey was difficult, and I saw many heartbreaking things. At one point I was forced out of a car and thought it was the end of my life, but thankfully another car came and we were allowed to go. After 40 minutes, I saw Chadian flags and reached the border, crossing safely with bare hands. There I felt a little bit relaxed, but still very worried about my mother who I had left behind and had no money to come. Later, I was able to bring my mother as well with the help of a fundraiser organised by my UWC friend Simon.

After that, within two months we got relocated to a new refugee camp which is around 50 kilometers from where we were first settled. We were given some food and small houses made of tarpaulins and wood in a rocky area. The houses are not stable, as the wind is very strong. I saw houses get damaged and people got injured because of the strong winds and rain. So we spent that season with suffering and pain. As the rainy season is approaching, my mother’s house has become unstable again and needs tarpaulins and wood to be renovated. I am worried about what happened last time. My mother and I sleep on the ground with only a sheet. She feels pain in her sides due to the rocky ground. This money will help me buy tarpaulins, wood, a sleeping mattress, and a bed. We also need some food, as the food we are given is not enough, and we need more variety. I also hope to buy her some clothes, as the ones she has are getting worn out, and maybe get some for the next winter.

I also don’t feel comfortable in the camp. There are many issues that happened in past months. Some nearby villagers come into the camp, sometimes causing trouble. One time, there was a serious incident that made people in the camp feel very unsafe. We all had to pay money to avoid further problems. There are also people nearby who are armed and not held accountable. Many times, women who go to collect firewood are harassed and robbed. Even refugees who go to the city sometimes get robbed

What is more dangerous now is that recently, some people have started burning refugee houses in hidden ways. Every two to three days, there is a fire burning inside the camp. Chad is really not a safe place, especially for young people like us. Many young people have left to other countries to seek asylum. Some of my friends also went to countries like Ghana, Tunisia, Libya, Uganda, and some to Europe.

I am also trying to find a chance to seek asylum in any other country than Chad, probably a country where I can find comfort and continue my education.

Being a UWC student really shaped me and changed me into a positive changemaker for my community, especially through education. It gave me more than a book, it gave me peace, which I am missing now. It gave me positive friends with different mindsets and a better environment. I hope I can find a place like UWC again and live a peaceful and positive life, away from the refugee life.

Please, please, I beg you, my UWC friends and those who read my story help me and my family to get out of this trauma and give me hope to continue my studies.

With deep gratitude,

Abuobida

Any contribution helps. Let's get together as a community and demonstrate our support and solidarity with Abuobida and his family.