Four girls stand side-by-side with smiling faces in a refugee camp just south of the Sudan-South Sudan border. These four girls, along with other refugees in the Yida Refugee Camp, escaped war in Sudan and are the focus of Operation Broken Silence’s Yida Photography Exhibit.Â
Mark Hackett, executive director of Operation Broken Silence, visited the Yida Refugee Camp for the first time in 2012 and said it was an “inspirational and challenging place.â€Â
“They (refugees) have been through a lot, but they dug in their heels because they wanted to stay here and fix problems in their country,†Hackett said. “It lights a fire under you really quick.â€
Mark Hackett, U of M international studies alumni and Operation Broken Silence executive director, gives an introduction to the Yida Photography Exhibit about Nuba refugees.
The Yida Photography Exhibit displays 313 photos depicting life in the Yida Refugee Camp. These images range from teachers in the camp to little kids smiling. Information regarding clean water, education and other factors in the camp are given throughout the exhibit.
Operation Broken Silence is a non-profit organization trying to reach people around the world and expose them to the rising genocidal violence within Sudan. The non-profit helps the country’s people bring out their voices and opinions about the country’s violence.
Scovia Wilson, recruitment director for Operation Broken Silence, is a refugee from South Sudan. Wilson said she lost family because of the war in Sudan.
“My passion came from living in the country and being directly affected by the Sudan government and the actual hardships from growing up in a refugee camp,†Wilson said.Â
Scovia Wilson, public relations alumni, explains the education and religious section of the exhibit. The exhibit gives a touching look into the refugee lives of the Nuba people in Sudan, Africa.
This photography exhibit will be in the Rose Theatre Lobby Monday through Friday. The exhibit hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Students Megan Briley and Lauren Wheeler explore the exhibit on Monday.
Along with the photos, there is a petition in the exhibit that will be sent to Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) asking him to support the Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act. The prevention of the genocidal events will make advances in the U.S. national security interests, save taxpayer dollars and save many lives in South Sudan and other areas affected by mass genocide and a harsh government, according to the petition.
Scovia Wilson, recruitment director for Operation Broken Silence, talks about the exhibit with international relations student Elijah Spinole.
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