ONE WEEK AFTER

For 8 days, 25 college students walked over 300 kilometers to raise awareness of the atrocities in Darfur. The daily blogs were a way to read and experience the emotions of the team during the journey. It has been exactly a week since the last of those 400,000 steps has been walked. Although the official walk has ended, the fire burning inside those who participated is still kindled. There has been a collective positive change in the group, full of maturity and a sense of renewed dedication for the people of Darfur since we have walked that highway. The following are quotes from members of the team since the walk ended.

"I keep writing this note and then erasing it because it seems there is no good way to say everything i want to say. I feel like i should still be walking because people are still dying. I've decided to change my lifestyle, I'm going to start trying to only buy ethical clothes and organic foods." -Nadine, Walker

"Last week, I took the first steps that led me down a 298 km journey from Calgary to Edmonton with 24 complete strangers.After the first 10 kms every step was a knife in my foot.The walk for me was a metaphor for achieving your goals in life and being who you wanted to be. Every morning we were told how far we had to walk, 30km, 43 km, 41 etc and it would be depressing and empowering at the same time. Depressing because unlike the people of Darfur, we knew when and where we had to stop to end the day, to go back to a secured place with electricity, water, food and a warm sleeping bag to rest in. The people of Darfur do not have that, nor could they risk taking breaks like we do. We must be the voice for the voiceless and do everything in our power to provide them with more choice. This can be accomplished by speaking up and taking action." -Yvonne, Walker

"This morning, I woke up, alone, yet even though I woke up wishing that I was still together with the rest of the Walk for Darfur team, I felt a feeling of calmness, a feeling of acceptance, of peace. Because what we did, what we tried to do, to help others in need, we had accomplished. Although this may not mean the end to the atrocities, we showed that we care, and that we will not give up, that we will keep pushing ourselves to keep on going, to keep making changes, and to never give up hope. This journey has been mentally, and physically draining, yet I would not trade it for the world. This journey has taught me that I have the strength to keep pushing myself, even though I may feel broken and defeated,I learned that each one of us, truly does have the ability to make a difference, to inspire others to make changes. So thank you for the memories that I will never forget, and remember; We walk for peace, we walk for action, we walk for, the people of Darfur." -Siao, Walker

"For the first time in over a week, I wasn't surrounded by 25 other activists on a gym, class or church floor. I didn't have to wake anyone else up nor did I have to worry about loading the trailer.Getting 20 tired, sore, grumpy walkers on the road on time was no longer a concern. For eight days that was my life. It was one of the most stressful weeks of my life, yet one of the best at the same time. I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people and share some moments; talk with people who shared both similar and different viewpoints; got to make friends that will hopefully last. I won't forget my time with Walk for Darfur or the need to do something about the situation.Hopefully we don't have to do this next year. Hopefully the world throws a spotlight on the death and destruction in Darfur. This would be one job I would love to never have to do again." -Papa Bell, Logistics

On behalf of the Walk for Darfur team, I challenge every person reading this to make a personal pledge to something about the situation in Darfur. Every little action or step can mean a world of difference.

*Thank you to the Students' Association of Grant MacEwan College, the countless administration and volunteer staff that helped get this walk off the ground, friends and family for their continued support, the WFD Executive Team, all of the high schools and churches that lent us a floor and mats for the night, everyone who came out to the Welcoming Walk, activists across the country who supported our cause, the sister walks and walkers from across the country, and the Edmonton Walk for Darfur Team. You changed my life.*