Kansas University student Lindsay Major, 22, describes a poster she made as part of a fundraiser to auction dates as well as posters and other items to aid victims of Darfur. The Dates for Darfur fundraiser sent proceeds to ACT-Caritas Darfur Emergency Response Operation.

A Sudanese refugee shared his story of fleeing persecution with Kansas University students and others Saturday night.

Simon Deng, 26, president of the Sudanese Lost Boys and Girls Association of Kansas, spoke to about 60 people at the Dates for Darfur fundraiser at Liberty Hall. The event was created and organized by KU Hillel, which is a Jewish student organization, and by a political poster art class to create awareness about the genocide in Sudan.

Deng, who was born in southern Sudan, was 2 years old in 1983 when the conflict between northern and southern Sudan began. The two regions are characterized by Arab heritage in the north and African in the south, and they have been historically divided across racial, religious, linguistic and economic lines, he said. The tension has led to the present civil war that has left thousands dead and forced thousands more to flee to neighboring countries. The United Nations has called the Darfur crisis the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

When Deng was 7, his father was killed. He described how he and other orphaned boys fled persecution for years through Africa. In Kenya, he found refuge in a United Nations sponsored refugee camp where he could begin a high school education and apply for refugee status. He was transported permanently to the greater Kansas City area.

Deng founded the association in 2005 with the goal of raising scholarship funds for present and prospective Sudanese students. He said he and other lost boys felt responsible to share their story.

“We are the voice,” he said. “If we can’t do it, who will?”

Max Stettner, of KU Hillel, said he felt responsible to be proactive locally to help diminish the crisis.

“As a Jewish student and as a Jewish person, I feel it’s my responsibility to make sure nothing like the Holocaust ever happens again,” he said.

Silkscreen posters about Darfur made by the 14 students in the fall 2007 political poster class were sold at the event. The class was taught by Shawn Bitters, assistant professor of art.

“We have to think about what we are doing as artists, to be more focused and engaged with society,” Bitters said.

The date auction followed Deng’s talk. Scott McCann, a Lazer 105.9 radio morning co-host, emceed the auction, in which people bid to go on dates with KU student leaders, such as student body president Hannah Love, and athletes such as KU football player James McClinton. Local businesses sponsor the dates.

All proceeds from the event will go to ACT-Caritas Darfur Emergency Response Operation.