By Eileen Oldfield Staff Writer
Jeffrey Kampf’s high school Genocide and Holocaust class is taking a closer look at the subject and local residents are invited to join them.
The class invites residents to help Darfurian refugees escape the region’s atrocities, without even leaving Hillsborough, with a program featuring a public showing of ex-Marine Brian Steidle’s “The Devil Came on Horseback: Bearing Witness to Genocide in Darfur” along with interviews with Mr. Steidle and Sudanese refugee Theil Theil, who now lives in North Plainfield.
The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 18, in Hillsborough High School’s auditorium. Tickets cost $10, and can be purchased at the school or at Mail Boxes, Etc. at 601 Route 206.
Proceeds from ticket and refreshment sales will benefit Mr. Theil’s efforts to rescue family members who are still in Sudan.
”It opens up the eyes of the world to what it’s really like, and why help is needed,” said junior Chris Elfo.
”I think he’s a symbol of hope, someone whose family is still standing,” said Mr. Kampf. “The people who are committing this genocide are running free, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
While the students saw the film during class last year, and heard Mr. Theil’s account of escaping Sudan and immigrating to the United States for work and school, the end of the school year did not permit them to show the film until next week.
”It (the film) definitely gave me a better understanding of what is going on,” said Alyssa Bernard. “We’re helping one family now, but there are thousands that need help. This event will bring the whole community together for one cause.”
While the drive to host the film night began when Mr. Kampf challenged the students to do something about the genocide, the decision to host a film night, to open it to the town, and to donate the proceeds to Mr. Theil came from the students.
”Seeing what’s happening is more than just reading about it,” said Brianne Bergan, a senior. “You’re seeing what other people are doing to other people.”
”People in this town live in their own wold,” said senior Kyle Szelega. “They’re protected by their wealth. It’s having them see what else is going on in the world.”
The film, which Mr. Steidle created while serving as an African Union Military Observer in Darfur, captures the elements of genocide in the country, said Mr. Kampf. After meeting Mr. Steidle at a showing of the film last year, Mr. Kampf received permission for the public showing and arranged for Mr. Steidle to speak at the even, either in person or via videoconference.
Mr. Theil will also speak at the event.
For further information, contact Jeffrey Kampf at jkampf@hillsborough.k12.nj.us.
