Tuesday, March 06, 2007

From the LA Times:
Nearly a decade ago, at 14, Isshag started publishing a handwritten community newsletter about local events, arts and religion. Once a month she'd paste decorated pages to a large piece of wood and hang it from a tree outside her family's home for passersby to read.

But after western Sudan plunged into bloodshed and suffering in 2003, Isshag's publication took on a decidedly sharper edge, tackling issues such as the plight of refugees, water shortages, government inaction in the face of militia attacks, and sexual violence against women.

Her grass-roots periodical has become the closest thing that El Fasher, capital of North Darfur state, has to a hometown newspaper.

There's plenty more to read. Stuff like this is interesting to me, as someone who can just sign up for an account and get to say whatever the heck he wants -- and then forgets to update now and then.

If you've been following the situation in Darfur, than you know it's been a terrible situation. The BBC has a short Q&A for more information.