SafeHaven-SD

Safe Haven Aid is a student-led nonprofit organization founded by rising juniors Judy Ali, Ayan Ali, and Anh Do to support children with Type 1 Diabetes in Sudan. Judy and Ayan, who are Sudanese-American, were motivated to help their home country as Sudan continues to face war and a major humanitarian crisis. After seeing the impact of the conflict on Sudanese families and communities, they wanted to create a way to provide meaningful support. Anh, a Vietnamese-American, joined with a similar commitment to giving others a fair chance regardless of their circumstances.

Safe Haven Aid works with a trusted clinic in Sudan that has provided care since 2009 and serves more than 400 children each month. The clinic is completely volunteer-run and lost major donors after the war began in 2023, creating significant challenges in providing medical care. Safe Haven Aid has raised more than $8,000 to help provide necessary support, including insulin, hygiene supplies, medical equipment, and 65 glucose meters that allow children to monitor their Type 1 Diabetes from home. The organization has also purchased three crucial medical devices and a refrigerator to help insulin last longer.

The organization currently has four chapters in the United States and two chapters in the Middle East, with 10 members serving on its board. Its current goal is to raise $4,000 for a CBC analyzer, which would allow laboratory staff at the clinic to detect irregularities in children's blood cells, identify potential health issues, and refer children to specialists when necessary. Through its fundraising and outreach efforts, Safe Haven Aid aims to continue providing children with the medical resources and support they need.