Sudan Relief Task Force

We are not interested in the war.
We don’t know the reasons for it.
We are interested in saving the lives of our children.
- Mother Raile Daffala

The Sudan Relief Task Force is a grassroots effort comprised of multi-denominational churches in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, focusing on education, political action, and direct relief to specific internally displaced persons outside Khartoum.

For more information contact:
Sudan Relief Task Force
c/o First Congregational Church-UCC
906 Main Street
Williamstown, MA 01267-2639

The Work of the SRTF

The crisis in Sudan was brought to our attention by Episcopal Deaconess Raile Daffala, mother of Darius Jonathan, husband of Carrie Bail, who is the Pastor of First Congregational Church in Williamstown. Many churches and organizations throughout Berkshire County were privileged to hear Mother Raile and Darius speak about the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in refugee camps around Khartoum of the “Mothers’ Union” refugees who are trying to help them, and of terrible governmental acts, including bombing civilian targets and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching those displaced from the valuable oil fields in the south.

An ecumenical Sudan Relief Task Force evolved in Williamstown, with representatives not only from nearby churches but central and south county towns including Dalton and Lee.

Goals are:

• Education
Mailings to churches and organizations to increase awareness
Letters and email to encourage governmental action
Darius Jonathan is available to speak to interested churches.
More information is available on web sites such as: http://www.angelsinsudan.com, http://www.refugees.org, http://www.sudan.net, http://www.churchworldservice.org.

• Craft Program
Helping the Mothers’ Union to expand a small craft program to broader markets,
Actively searching for financial assistance and channels to market the crafts

• Financial Aid
Fundraising is ongoing to help refugees with daily needs and initiatives such as crafts to engender income and self-esteem.

What can you do?
• As Mother Raile asked, pray for the people of Sudan, and for oppressed people everywhere.
• Bring this campaign to your Outreach/Mission Committee.
• Call the First Congregational Church-UCC of Williamstown, Massachusetts at: (413) 458-4273 for further information

Sudanese Lentil Soup

The First Congregational Church of Williamstown has a tradition of fighting injustice locally and globally. The ecumenical Williamstown Sudan Relief Task Force is addressing ongoing strife and injustice with support services in Sudan. Proceeds from the sale of this soup mix go directly to support an accredited elementary school and other programs for internally displaced persons outside the capital city of Khartoum.

How to set up to make 50 soup kits:

Gramma Raile*’s soup recipe is for one kit.
To make 50 kits, you will need:
Ingredients:

• 50 pounds of red lentils
• Spices as listed times 50

Packaging materials:

• 50 small snack ziplock bags (for spices)
• 50 sandwich ziplock bags (for two cups of lentils)
• 50 labels: Sudanese Lentil Soup Mix
• 50 Copies of the recipe

Estimated Costs: 50 kits – about $85 — Sell each kit for $10, and you will Raise $415 for Sudan Relief

Send money raised to:
Sudan Relief Task Force
c/o First Congregational Church*
Main Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

*Gramma Raile is Pastor Carrie Bail’s Mother-In-Law

RECIPE

Gramma Raile’s Sudanese Lentil Soup
(Serves 6)

Enclosed: 2 cups organic red lentils + spice packet
containing 1 heaping teaspoon each of Coriander and
Cumin, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon each of dried
mint and salt
Also needed: 4 ½ cups water, 1 onion (chopped),
1 Tablespoon each of butter & olive oil
To be added later: 1 Tablespoon garlic (can be from a jar),
1 Tablespoon olive oil, 4 ounces feta cheese, 1 lime.

Method: Soak lentils in cold water. Stir. Remove anything that floats up. Drain. Repeat. Discard water. Put lentils into a large heavy pot. Add spices, 3½ cups water, onion and
1 Tbs each of butter and olive oil.
Be sure the mixture is well covered with water. Bring to a gentle boil and stir often so bottom won’t burn. After ten minutes, add one more cup of water. Boil gently, stirring often for 30 minutes. Soup will turn yellow, creamy and thick.
Saute 1 Tbs garlic in 1 Tbs olive oil and add to soup. Cut up and add 4 oz feta cheese. Gently boil for 5-8 minutes, stirring to break up the feta. Puree the soup if you wish. Squeeze the lime and stir its juice into the soup.
It’s ready to serve!

Proceeds from this soup mix go directly to support an accredited elementary school and other programs for internally displaced persons outside the capital city of Khartoum, through the ecumenicalWilliamstown Sudan Relief Task Force.