Sudani Futures Lab
A home for our dreams.
منزل لأحلامنا.
Creating a home for healing and dreaming as we strive towards justice & rebuilding Sudan.
In the face of unprecedented challenges faced by the Sudanese community, how can we keep our dreams of a better future alive? Long before this war broke out, the people of Sudan were working to build a future based in freedom, peace and justice. This revolutionary vision is now refocused on rebuilding a home ravaged by violence.
Sudani Futures Lab seeks to uplift and support the people and projects that are laying the foundation for Sudan’s future.
Currently, Sudani Futures Lab is based out and office in Cairo Egypt - identifying this as a central hub for the movement, and Oakland California. All Donations are Tax Deductible through our 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Our Focus Areas:
Healing & Mental Health: We cannot dream if we cannot heal. This takes the form of wellness workshops, peer-counseling, and providing a safe space to receive healing for those who have experienced physical and mental trauma.
Coaching & Project Support: Many community leaders and activists are struggling for survival as migrants or refugees. The coaching, tactical assistance, and seed-funding we provide is supporting these leaders to adapt their projects and skills to serve the new circumstances of their community, and develop new income streams as social entrepreneurs.
Documentation & Education: The Sudanese Revolution lives on through these activists. The principles and visions that led the revolution will lead the rebuilding of our nation. As has been demonstrated by Rwanda, rising from the ashes of 30 years of civil war to become one of the safest and most prosperous African countries, this requires long term visioning and planning. The ultimate goal of SFL is to build a platform for these leaders to return to Sudan, rejuvenated and prepared to take on this grand mission.
Progress & Goals
In a short amount of time, and with limited budget, we have had some remarkable achievements:
Physical location in Cairo, Egypt, the largest epicenter for Sudanese refugees and migrants. This community space has already been used for organizing meetings, healing sessions, workshops and a safe place to land for those in transition.
The Next Goal is to furnish this space to accommodate more people, and be ready to serve as both a healing space, meeting space, and media center, with laptops, art supplies, cameras, and other tools activists need to progress their work.
Hired 2 Community Directors. During a 3 week trip to Cairo to set up the project, we were able to interview multiple candidates and hire two incredible leaders. Ustaza Suaad, a lawyer and elder who specialized in securing the freedom of Sudanese Activists during the Revolution, and Abd Al Wadud, a community organizer and leader among activists.
The Next Goal is to cover their Salary, and being able to hire workshop leaders, lawyers, mental health practitioners as well as supporting with medical costs for the community we are serving.
Focus Groups, Healing Sessions and Interviews. We were able to host a series of workshops and sessions with Mazin Jamal in Cairo, bringing together a total of 45 activists, providing stipends, meals and getting their input on the design of this project. These were powerful places for catharsis, healing and connection, sparking inspiration and new connections.
The Next Goal is to get 2-3 development workshops and healing sessions happening per month. This is capacity building and restoration for these key leaders, who are needed by their community now more than ever.
Supporting Sudani Futures Lab
We are seeking 20-30 individuals to pledge $10-15 a month to help us sustain an operating budget of $450 per month. This may not seem like much, but it goes a very long way. All donations are Tax Deductible.
Office Rent & Utilities in Cairo: $150 per month (covered by Mazin)
Minimum Living Expenses in Cairo: $150 per month x 2 for our Staff
Furnishing the Space: Approximately $450 for furniture and supplies.
Meet the Project Founder
Mazin Jamal is an artist, activist, community organizer, and trainer committed to healing and liberation. As the founder of Holistic Underground Inc. A California based non-profit organization, he provides a platform for community leaders, visionaries, artists and activists to increase their impact by providing leadership development, financial management and other structural support.
As the founder of PurposePlace Consulting, he works with companies and organizations around the world to develop a clear strategy, improve their communication and establish an inclusive culture based in integrity and compassion.
As the cofounder of Embrace Community, he supports healers and spiritual innovators from various traditions to come together in the practice of “healing justice.”
Mazin Jamal is a expert facilitator, making it easier for groups to have difficult conversations and achieve big goals. He brings his background in holistic health and wellness to help activists reduce burnout, and have a safe space for grieving and healing.
While attaining his degree in International Relations 10 years ago at San Francisco State University, Mazin Jamal engaged in intensive study of the International Political Economic Factors that shaped the Middle Eastern and North African Region. His study also included global social movements theory, which shapes his Activism. He has been involved in Sudanese activism since his childhood, following in the footsteps of both of his parents.