Because of our close friendship and because you believe in what we are doing, you are among those we feel
comfortable in sharing with you our need. The Anuak Justice Council is looking for new sources of funding
support and have reached a critical point in our organization.
For the past three years, we have been able to function with a minimum of resources due to the generous
support of individuals, family members, two churches (where Anuak have been involved), and a foundation
that funds mainly start-up organizations. Even though these sources of funding have helped us through the first
years, they cannot be relied upon for future funding and thus we are reaching out to those friends we know
who value the work of the AJC as an organization working for not only the Anuak anymore, but for the greater
Ethiopian family.
As we have realized that for freedom and justice to come to the Anuak, freedom and justice must come to all
Ethiopians. The Anuak cannot thrive by themselves without others also thriving. The isolation of one group
from another will only lead us to where we have already been – to continued hatred, tribalism, division and
marginalization as a society, under which we will all suffer. It was because the Anuak were singled out
because of their language, ethnicity and color that they were easily targeted to die on December 13, 2003. Such
actions have made all of us vulnerable and without broadening our vision to confront the system that
perpetuates such crimes against all the people of Ethiopia, we would be short sighted and unlikely to succeed.
We have not had to reach out to those in the greater Ethiopian community before to ask for funding support but
find it necessary now in order to continue the work. We have a target of raising $5,000 by March 10th to be
used for two purposes: (1) to cover travel expenses to testify before the United Nations Human Rights
Commission and (2) to support the work of the AJC (travel expenses and operating expenses of the AJC for an
interim period until we can locate ongoing funding to sustain the work). However, for those who cannot help
now, we also would invite you to consider helping in the future when you are more able. Some of you may
even be able to make monthly contributions, but our greatest concern right now is the next several months until
we may be able to possibly find another foundation geared to human rights work.
However, we are asking you in the same way we would ask our family members, close friends and loved ones
for help. As you may know, with those close to you, they are not only most willing to help, but also, when they
are unable to do so they should not feel bad if they are unable to do so because we still remain cherished
family. Instead, we just ask you to do your best and we will do the same. If you could share this need with
others around you. Some of you have indicated a willingness to raise funds for the AJC through other means of
fundraising — anything you can do would be appreciated.
