People are trying to get from 3rd to 7th Street in Washington D.C., but find the roads covered with millions of bones. On June 8th and 9th, that is just what is going to happen. The organization responsible for this is called One Million Bones, an organization that stands against genocide atrocities by accepting donated clay bones in order to spread awareness. Sophomore Sara Zahir has helped contribute 467 bones to the cause through her Capital Area Interfaith Friends youth group charity event at her house.
Zahir’s idea to participate in One Million Bones came when her youth group was trying to decide what non-violence event they would like to help as their next volunteer project. At a workshop in a church in DC, One Million Bones was introduced to Zahir and her youth group. After listening to Naomi Natale, the One Million Bones founder, and watching the powerful video explaining the purpose, “I looked at one of the members in attendance with me the moment the video ended and she had completed and with tears in both of our eyes, I said, this is our event. The message is so powerful and positive and with the unbelievable circumstances that come with genocide it’s something that you can’t help but help,” said Zahir.
On April 21, Zahir held the One Million Bones event at her house with Naomi Natale as her guest of honor. Her goal had been 300 bones, however, it was exceeded by over 50% with 467 bones. Zahir`s friends, family, and youth group helped her surpass this goal.
Many students volunteered because they connected with the issue of genocide . “It is an important cause and great to spread awareness because genocide is only thought to be in Gowanda but it’s really everywhere” said sophomore Cassidy who volunteered at the event.
Other students volunteered because they feel that giving back to society is an essential to leading a successful life. “Winston Churchill once said ‘you make a living off what you get, but you make a life of what you give’”. I believe that we are giving something incredibly important to the people of the DC area, to ourselves, and to each other, we are giving the gift of perspective” said sophomore Sean Gordon. DC will soon be overrun by millions of clay bones, some of which Langley students created, in an effort to spread awareness about genocide.