EDITOR’S ADVISORY                                   12-20-04

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY ART PROFESSOR TO SPEND HOLIDAY IN THE SUDAN

SEEKING WAY TO BRING POTABLE WATER TO REGION’S RESIDENTS

Richard Wukich, art professor at Slippery Rock University and an active member of Potters for Peace, a group working to bring ceramic water filters to areas of the world in need of potable water, will spend part of his Christmas break working with the International Rescue Committee’s world relief efforts in the Darfur region of the Sudan. He expects to begin his journey later today (Dec. 20.)

Professor Wukich, who primarily teaches pottery-making classes at SRU, joined the faculty in 1968. In a similar mission earlier this year, he traveled to Iraq with Potters for Peace.

A primary mission on the Darfur trip will be an assessment of the feasibility of delivering a water filter press to the region. If conditions are favorable, he says the press could begin operations turning out filters early in 2005 – February or March. The ceramic filter removes harmful bacteria and microbes from water making it drinkable.

In late-November the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorialized on the problems faced in the Sudan calling for more world attention to the region and noting its two primarily conflicts one that “pits the north, dominated by Muslims and the military, against, the south, Christians and animists, who have been in rebellion against the north for 21 years. The second is in the west of the country, the Darfur region, along its border with Chad and Central African Republican.” The editorial noted the struggles are over resources, particularly oil and land, and called for world intervention to help solve the problems.  

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The organization is at work in 25 countries delivering lifesaving aid in emergencies, rebuilding shattered communities, caring for war-traumatized children, rehabilitating health care, water and sanitation systems and reuniting separated families, among other projects.

As part of his trip, Mr. Wukich is willing to provide e-mail letters from Darfur to interested reporters updating his visit and observations. Those interested are asked to call 724-738-2199. Mr. Wukich may be reached at
724-530-7215 – or via e-mail at: rwukich@pathway.net

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K.E. Schwab -- PN, PgN, WPN, PR, PT, AA, S