Credits: The Promise

All students are members of the class of 2006 Danbury High School, Danbury, Connecticut.

The creators of The Promise



Tim Salem, Brian Simalchik, Katherine Calle, Catherine Trieu, Emily DeMasi, Caitlin Eaglin, Lily Yeung (Click to enlarge)

Credits: Child of Hope

The creators of Child of Hope

Tim Salem and Brian Simalchik, standing, present at lauch of Child of Hope,
November 2007 (Click to enlarge)

More Information

Save Darfur Coalition Save the Children Doctors Without Borders

Eric Reeves For in depth information and analysis on the Darfur conflict visit Eric Reeves Website at www.sudanreeves.org. Eric Reeves is Professor of English Language and Literature at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. He has spent the past seven years working full-time as a Sudan researcher and analyst, publishing extensively both in the US and internationally. His recent article The Genocide Olympics explores the role of China in the continuation of the genocide. Other Information Sources Visit the Darfur Conflict page in Wikipedia. Visit the Darfur Overview page at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum or read their brief Darfur Alert document for a quick overview and to learn how you can help. Visit miafarrow.org for humanitarian and advocacy information. About the Video For more information about the video or if you are interested in a presentation on Darfur contact Timothy Salem at salemt@danbury.k12.ct.us or (203) 797-4716. DVD's available for special requests. FRONTLINE: on our watch After the genocide in Rwanda and the ethnic cleansing in Srebrenica, the world said, "Never again." Then came Darfur. Watch the Full Program Online here

The New Group

The creators of The Promise video have graduated and a new group of students have stepped forward with Tim Salem to continue efforts to raise awareness and motivate action for the people of Darfur. These students have initiated aid projects and educational presentations utilizing the video. They greatly appreciate the support and assistance of Mia Farrow who has accompanied them on many presentations. The students are Kim Ashayeri, Max Delahanty, Dane Ross-Jackson, Leanna Pomponio, Alysha Rashid and Sab\rina Wirth.

Learn more about their activities from the schedule of events.

The video was the emotional linchpin of a news conference on February 23, 2006 by Connecticut Treasurer Denise Nappier. With the students in attendance, Nappier introduced legislation to cease investing state pension money in companies that have financial interests in Sudan. Nappier said the Danbury High students, a Yale human rights group and other organizations helped sway public opinion and pave the way for the divestment proposal. "In my opinion, the state of Connecticut cannot condone or appear to condone the genocide in its investment policies. We need to speak up in one clear voice." Nappier said.

Connecticut would join New Jersey, Illinois, Louisiana and Oregon in cutting financial ties with Sudan. Yale University has announced plans to divest, as have some other colleges. See The Promise Videos Page to view the video and the broadcast.

On May 8, 2006 the state passed a law that prevents state dollars from being invested in companies that support the government of Sudan.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and actress Mia Farrow and her son Ronan visited refugee camps in the Darfur region of Sudan during June 2006. She witnessed the incredible sufferings of the people, especially the woman and children. Upon her return Mia had an opportunity to view the video. She was so moved by the compelling emotional pull of the video that she contacted Tim Salem and made arrangements to meet with the students. On August 21, 2006 Mia Farrow interviewed with Tim Salem on Ivon Alcime's Comcast Cable TV local access program Ideas at Work and Beyond.

Of the video she said "I do want to commend the Danbury High students and Tim for leading this project which I found startlingly moving and remarkable and concentrated–a plea for help for the people of Darfur who urgently need it."

With the students moving on to colleges and universities, Mia challenged them to continue their efforts to raise awareness of the situation in Darfur. "Just because you’re a kid, doesn’t mean you’re helpless as you can see from this video." "There are too few of us now. Get together and build the numbers. Together, let us make a difference and show our leadership that America, the United States, can take the moral high ground. Tell our legislators, our congressmen, our senators we care about the people of Darfur and we want them to take action."

Read "Promises" an account of the Comcast interview with Mia Farrow.
View the Comcast broadcast and Darfur photos from Mia Farrow.

Helping the children of Darfur inspired by Danbury High film, Cartus workers vow to raise $50,000 Danbury High School seniors Max Delahanty, Alysha Rashid and Sabrina Wirth, along with actress and activist Mia Farrow and assistant principal Tim Salem, spared no details in describing the horrors and needs in Darfur to employees at Cartus Corp. in Danbury. Cartus is a provider of global mobility management and workforce development solutions serving corporate, government and affinity markets. Cartus employees announced their pledge to raise $50,000 for Save the Children to build a school in Darfur. Read the Danbury NewsTimes article.

UPDATE: Cartus workers has set a new goal of $50,000 to $100,000.