3 minute read
BUILDING A LEGACY OF LASTING IMPACT
hroughout her life, Deb Dawson has felt called to places half a world away. As a young child, she grew up with an internationally adopted neighbor and later pursued adoption herself in both Korea and Siberia. Stating “this is my life’s work,” Dawson has had a personal mission to support disadvantaged youth across the globe.
In 2007, Dawson was introduced to Joseph, a local NDSU college student from South Sudan. A Sudanese orphan himself, Joseph was wanting to start a program to support vulnerable children back in his home country. Dawson didn’t hesitate to say yes, and African Soul, American Heart (ASAH) was born. Dawson and Joseph worked on a documentary lm to spread awareness of the orphaned child epidemic in South Sudan and tell the story of Joseph’s life. The documentary was an instant hit when it premiered at the Fargo Theatre in November 2008 with more than 300 people attending. Interest and awareness began spreading. Quite quickly, Dawson and Joseph realized that ASAH would be more than just a lm.
In 2010, with growing public support, Dawson and Joseph set their focus on educating and empowering South Sudanese orphans. They collaborated with other human rights leaders to determine where ASAH could make the most impact. As young orphaned girls were least likely to get an education and most likely to become child brides, it was only logical that ASAH would embrace a mission to educate, empower and protect South Sudanese orphans. Preparing these youth for the transition to an independent life and instilling the skills and knowledge needed to help their communities and their country restore and sustain peace became ASAH’s vision.
In 2012, shortly a er South Sudan became an independent nation, ASAH opened a school to the rst 23 girls in Duk Payuel, South Sudan. Unfortunately, ASAH experienced a tremendous setback when civil war erupted in 2013-2014 and the school was destroyed, displacing the girls from South Sudan to Uganda, now as refugees. Miraculously, all of the girls survived and ASAH persevered to continue the mission of protection, education and empowerment.
Deborah Yar finished her nursing degree with the help of ASAH and has returned to South Sudan to pursue clinical work in her home village.
Photo provided by ASAH.
COVID-19 has been another disrupter. Yet despite this challenge, ASAH celebrated six student graduates; including one who received her nursing degree and has returned to South Sudan to pursue clinical work in her home village.
Since 2012, ASAH has provided 50+ students with an education, vocational skills, protection against forced marriage and empowerment for their futures.
For the last 14 years, Dawson and her team, both locally and in Uganda, have navigated civil war, political unrest, relocation to Uganda and COVID-19 to continue making a di erence in the futures of these young people and their nations. Dawson has been so grateful to have the means and support from our great FM community and beyond to ful ll ASAH’s mission and Dawson’s dream. ASAH has created a legacy of impact and continues to provide transformational support half the world away.
2021 is a truly rare and special year for ASAH as they are closing in on achieving their mission. Their journey is now nearly complete and their vision and mission nearly ful lled. It is a rare space for a nonpro t to be in a position to say that. ASAH celebrates their loyal and amazing donors, the successful work of their students, and the start of a strategic winding down of the organization as each remaining ASAH student works to complete their individual education and empowerment pathway.
ASAH has an amazing celebration event planned for October 5 at the Sanctuary Events Center, downtown Fargo. Join their email list, view asahinsudan.org and follow them on Facebook to learn more about the event in the coming weeks.
The crisp air and changing leaves will herald the coming of a new event to the Red River Valley Fairgrounds this fall. First held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota this past spring, Junkin’ Market Days creator Kerry Bamsey is bringing the market event to the Fargo area on October 29 and 30.
So what does this event o er even the most seasoned shopper? Junkin’ Market Days is an indoor market featuring over 100 vendors from a six-state area in one location. The market focuses on repurposed, rustic, shabby chic and farmhouse style products with a handful of vintage or antique items as well. Attendees can expect to nd everything from repurposed furniture, home decor, jewelry and boutique clothing, to specialty gourmet food items.
“This is not like a ea market or cra show. These vendors have taken a lot of time over the past year to create new products and find unique items,” Bamsey says, emphasizing the many hours of time, e ort, care and love they have put into their products. “I won’t accept direct sales. Everything at the market is either made by the vendor or lovingly purchased with the intent to resell for the boutique experience.” She also stresses that the displays will not be set up like a typical booth-style event, “Vendors put a lot of work into making these displays a shopping event setup to show each item with care.”
