Suzan's family is originally from the Darfur region of Sudan.  She was born in   Khartoum and moved to Egypt at the age of 8 and to Maine at 14.  She deeply understands how overwhelming huge moves are on the lives of refugee families.  

Suzan is studying social work at USM while working in the field.  Her career goal is to become a psychologist so that she can be a significant help to the Sudanese-American population in Maine.  

Mental health issues are significant in families that have experienced a lot of loss, violence and grief as immigrants so often have.  Suzan already organizes people and resources to create a place inside her community to let people know that is is OK to ask for help.  Suzan's love for her cousin who died by suicide drives her even more toward her goal of helping others.  If you need help Suzan wants you to tell someone:
The Maine Crisis Line: 1.888.568.1112
or call 2-1-1 for free, confidential referrals to any social service resources in the state.

​Music: "Sudania"

El-Fadel came to the US in 2004 and became a citizen in 2009.  He was originally from Darfur, Sudan.  On July 30th, 2020 he hosted a candlelight vigil in Portland to remember the people who have been killed in violence and genocide in his home area, and for those who still suffer in refugee camps.  The exciting part is, people in those camps can watch the vigil occurring in Portland, ME from their camps in Sudan where they are not only vulnerable to violence in the area, but are also susceptible to hunger and diseases, including Covid-19. El-Fadel and others offer solidarity and hope to people who sometimes feel forgotten. Sudanese Youth 4 Better Future continues to organize for more awareness and action in the region.

To hear more of El-Fadel's insights and life stories click here and here. 

​Music: Bob Marley sings "Get Up, Stand Up."

El-Fadel came to Maine in 2004 after being forced from his home in Darfur, Sudan.  El-Fadel was previously on New Mainers Speak in August (NMS 188) and September (NMS 191) of 2018.  He continues to share his stories and his insights regarding all he has learned throughout his epic journey, to date. This interview was timed well to coincide with Thanksgiving.  There are few people more grateful for what they have than he.
In this segment El-Fadel focuses on the way people from his village show respect to elders.  He also helps listeners to understand the powerful respect Sudanese people feel for the earth and the very dirt from which all life flows.  He discusses the way they grow their foods, find their well water, make their homes of mud bricks and grasses (also born of the earth) and even make their toys from the hard baked clay earth.  Their gratitude and thanksgiving always starts with a respect for the earth and soil that make life possible and holds us at the end of our lives.

For regularly updated news about Sudan, El-Fadel suggests Darfur Women Action Group. 
If you wish to book El-Fadel to speak at a school event he can be reached at [email protected].

Music: An Ethiopian song for joy and peace.

El-Fadel watched his house and village burn when he was 12 years old.  What followed were ten years of running, hiding, escaping genocide and childhood slavery.  While he might have been a boy in school he was leading a very difficult life.  That is why he values education and appreciates all his elders ever taught him. 
He came to the US in 2004 and started learning English.  Now he works with students to cultivate compassion and share information about his life and the political realities of war and genocide.  He is also working two jobs and is going to finish his high school diploma (through Adult Education) in just 10 more credits. 
El-Fadel believes that if you have money for one month that is enough, the real richness of life comes from "raising others up."  He has many awards and certificates recognizing the humanitarian work he does with youth.  He supports the efforts being done by other groups here in the US: STAND and Darfur Women Action Group.  If you wish to book him for a school event he can be reached at [email protected].

Music: "Ethiopian Instrumental Music" by Habeshaw Abel (and the video portrays his village).  

Ekhlas Ahmed arrived in Maine in 2005 at the age of twelve. Her family came from Darfur, Sudan.  She tells the story of her first day on the school bus in Maine and how she vowed after that to never be voiceless again.  Ekhlas attended King Middle School, Casco Bay High School and the University of Southern Maine.  Now she works for AmeriCorps and teaches English to immigrant students back at her alma mater.  She also leads the Make it Happen program there, which helps immigrant students through the college application process. 

Ekhlas offers an alternative view of Darfur aside from the war there, sharing her impressions of the beauty, people's warmth and acceptance.  While visiting relatives in Sudan she became inspired to raise funds to help complete the building of a local school.  She is selling calendars to help raise the needed $5,000.

As founding member, Ekhlas explains that Darfur Youth of Tomorrow is a small organization in Portland, ME for survivors of genocide.  It is a young women's peer support circle.
Ekhlas recites "How Could We Forget You?" in Arabic.  It is a poem she wrote for her extended family which will be included in a book called The Bridge Between which she continues to write.
Music: Sudanese vocalist Hissan Asidge sings "In the Diaspora."
*On Feb 16th Ekhlas was flown out to be on Ellen.  They are going to sell her calendars in the online store.