The Good Moments During sad times!

In August 2018 I was given the opportunity to teach in Sudan, but teaching was the last thing that I did. The year started off with teaching great students, amazing expat teachers and wonderful local people. Normal everyday routine delivering the curriculum and teach! But then things changed, dramatically! December 2018 while I went back home to London to visit my family Sudan kicked off its protest and finally, in April 2019 the longest serving dictator fell! I was in Sudan then. I was told by many not to go out and protest due to safety reasons. I did not listen!

 The protest still needed to continue. It needed to continue due to other war lords and generals trying to take power. The people were not satisfied and would not believe the lies from the same government. The violence started and many innocent people died and even more injured, threatened, tear gassed, humiliated, sexually assaulted and terrorised.

 On the 6th of April 2019, Sudan witnessed the biggest anti-government protest. Millions of people went onto the street to protest. It was glorious! The chanting, singing, marching and most of all strangers marching hand in hand supporting and protecting one another. You can find information online about the revolution, violence and events that took place, but I want to dedicate this blog to the people of the land, the real heroes and Kandakas (female warriors). The Sudanese people!

  Despite the little money they earn and little resources they have (even though Sudan is filthy rich in natural resources), it is the Sudanese people who put my faith back into humanity again. Travelling to many poor countries such as Jordon, Palestine and Bangladesh and seeing what injustice is being portrayed there, just like it has in Sudan does make one eventually lose hope in people to do the right thing, especially the government. This changed for me when I saw the actions of the locals.   

This year was a year of bravery, women power and triumph. Despite my Sudanese colleagues and now dear friends, knowing they could have lost their lives they still went out to protest. My colleagues and friends were beaten, threatened, head shaved and assaulted verbally but they still did not let that affect their fight for basic rights. The support and love for another stranger were so apparent. The protest ended at the army headquarters. People were sitting in and staying overnight for weeks on end to get justice and for the military to hand power to the people. Men, women, children and old. Hand in hand willing to fight, die for what they deserve; freedom!

During the sit-ins, I saw some of the kindest human acts ever. One of my funniest memory is when I saw a man who had trouble getting his car onto the pavement to park. A bunch of teenagers who were dance/protesting were marching by but stopped to pick his car up (while still chanting) on the pavement and then carrying on with their protest. Like it was part of their chant. I loved seeing people come in with cars full of food and trucks full of water. There were these shanty town makeshift school areas and clinics, prayer place and washrooms. Despite the heat and exhaustion of people sleeping over at the army headquarter they were still hopeful, loving and kind towards one another. I saw the protestors cleaning the streets. They were ordinary protestors, not getting paid but being helpful. These volunteers/ protestors would also keep help thousands of people safe by doing body searches. Overall, I enjoyed the protest as I knew I was safe and the people I was with would protect me, especially due to being a guest in their country.  

 The best memory of Sudan must be the time spent with the locals. Despite the lack of money, resources and basic fair treatment the Sudanese people are very kind and loving. People who have suffered for more than 30 years of harsh treatment and now will not be silenced. Their fight is one that the whole world wanted to see as many of these war lords are wanted by ICC and it was the Sudanese people with no foreign help who accomplished that. However, their fight continues and please remember those who were martyred in this revolution due to what they believe in. Freedom and Justice; something we in the west take for advantage every day.

This blog is dedicated to my kind, loyal Sudanese friends and to a stranger I did not know but wish I did; she was raped on the 3rd of June 2019 by the Janjaweed and then she took her own life away on the 8th of June 2019. May Allah (swt) grant you the highest level of Jannah possible.

A huge thank you to my friends and family in London for your donations, support and duaas!