Photo: ARC

Minneapolis, MN—Minnesota is becoming the world headquarters for the Somali Olympic team’s largest fan club, and Minnesotans are showing their support for their Somali neighbors by building the world’s longest paper chain for Somalia. Started to help cheer on Somali Olympians, the chain is quickly taking on a life of its own, and everyone—from grandmas to preschoolers—is adding links to the chain to show their support for Somalia.

ARC Volunteers

People around the world are also participating. The chain is being constructed as part of a Facebook campaign that is bringing 50,000 people from 80 countries together to show solidarity with Somalia. Online fans from around the world are adding “rings of hope” to a paper chain by cheering for the Somali Olympic team on the I AM A STAR Facebook page. Rings from virtual fans across the globe will be added to the paper chain by volunteers in Minnesota. Somali-Canadian hip-hop artist K’naan is asking his fans to join. “A corporate sponsor has agreed to contribute $1 of critical aid to Somali families for each of the first 50,000 new likes, shares and posts.” The paper chain will be unveiled at a community celebration in Minneapolis on Aug. 11.

Shukri Abdinur, I AM A STAR

Funds raised through this campaign will support the Minnesota-based American Refugee Committee’s relief efforts in Somalia—one of the worst and most complex humanitarian crises in the world. More than 2.5 million people in Somalia are in dire need of humanitarian aid. Families don’t have enough food to feed their children. Many families remain in camps for the displaced in Mogadishu, unable to return home. The American Refugee Committee is working in Mogadishu, providing lifesaving care like food, clean water and medical care.

Share Hope

Your cheer on Facebook = “A corporate sponsor has agreed to contribute $1 of critical aid to Somali families for each of the first 50,000 new likes, shares and posts.”

Visit: www.facebook.com/IAMASTARforSomalia.