Mission Statement

The Sudanese American Young Adult project (SAYAP) is an organization (that is) aimed at (bringing together/encouraging) {the?} youth (Young Adults) in the Sudanese {international} Diaspora to engage in discussion and to take action through innovative and creative ways that will alleviate the modern issues of concern in Sudan.

Background

Sudanese youth and young adults have concerns over economic, political, and social problems affecting/afflicting Sudan. As members of a Diaspora, the youth have struggled with questions concerning the amalgamation of the separate types of entities they now hold. The importance of one's culture, one's identity, self-identity, the comfort of belonging, and place one can call home are but a few of the concerns youth in the Diaspora think about. As such, approaching adulthood, choosing academic and professional careers can make the struggle frustrating. Sudanese youth in the Diaspora who recognize the effect of their separation have a dire need and responsibility to connect to and to learn of the political ordinance, current and future economic development, as well as internal and external social structures. The advantage in knowing of the political and socio-economic structures of Sudan will help to encourage active, effective and healthy youth participation in the country’s development. The depth of this project is a call to action for Sudanese Youth living outside of Sudan and who feel a drift from their roots as an issue of primary concern. The name Sudanese American Young Adult Project is a reflection of the project’s inception, the United States of America.

Goals

SAYAP is interested in recruiting as many interested Sudanese Youth In the Diaspora as possible into the project. To collect information about Sudan’s history, it’s cultures, the array of it’s languages, it’s different religions, the lesser known artifacts, its art and artistic influences, cultural attire, oral history, stories, the role of film and theater in its culture, the importance of music, academic theories and research. The purpose for the inquiry and collection of such a variety of intellectual information on Sudan is to engage the support of Sudanese and non-Sudanese scholars at the aim of disseminating the collected information among others and ourselves who are interested in enriching their scope of knowledge on Sudan. To act as liaisons and a continuous thread between existing organizations and interested individuals in the United Stated and Sudan who are involved in or working with current Sudanese issues. Create and collaborate with individuals and projects that deal with the growth of humanitarian and educational development using unique approaches. Work with Sudanese Youth in the Diaspora (not limited to members) to continuously generate discourse on their Diaspora experience, Sudanese experience and situations in general. This is a secular project by Sudanese Youth and essentially for Sudan and its youth. We will run it, lead it, organize it, and steer it in whatever direction we think is necessary.

Membership Criteria

As steering members, we thought it imperative to have a few guidelines and definitions for becoming a SAYAP member. The recruiting effort will first be limited to Sudanese youth who currently live in the United States, District of Colombia Metropolitan area, New York City, and Philadelphia and will inevitably expand. Members must fall under the specifications listed below and although the project will work with others outside the specified ranges, they are not regarded “members” but rather friends of SAYAP and therefore will not have voting or deciding rights. Anyone interested must be of Sudanese nationality or born in the Sudan. All individuals must be between the ages of 18 and 29 (this might be subject to change). Anyone that has spent a considerable amount of time outside of Sudan, and who strongly identifies with the project’s background statement.