What would you do to prevent a murder? Would you write an e-mail? How about a letter? Would you make a phone call? Would you rake leaves for an hour?

As you think about the answers to these questions, you should know that right now innocent people are being systematically murdered in Darfur, a region of Sudan. More than 300,000 people have been killed already, and thousands more die each day. Women are raped and children mutilated as the mass graves continue to grow.

In his viewpoint on the efficacy of social-justice groups, Daily editorial board member Neil Tambe argued that many student-led relief efforts, while well-meaning, are often impotent because they ignore the political arena (Getting Out of the Icebox, 03/08/2007). We strongly agree with this sentiment. We have independently developed a student initiative based on the philosophy that a truly effective relief campaign must fight two battles: one political and one social.

Our cause is the genocide that is plaguing Darfur. Our project is called "Will Work For Food."

Our political campaign will feature tables set up across campus where students will be able to write or phone their representatives, senators or other government officials. You can find us today at the Shapiro Undergraduate Library and other locations around campus. Along with this letter-writing campaign, we are going to raise money for relief in Darfur, not by asking for donations, but by encouraging people to work for it.

We are asking students to purchase a T-shirt for $10. One hundred percent of profits will go to the American Jewish World Service, a leading humanitarian group providing relief in Darfur. Those who purchase shirts will also be asked to pledge at least one hour of service to raise an additional $10 or to contribute one hour's worth of wages out of their paycheck to raise additional funds for relief.

Symbolically, we believe this approach of actively working to raise funds demonstrates our commitment to stopping the genocide. Simultaneously, it will provide service to our community here in Ann Arbor and our global community in Darfur.

We hope not only to force people to take this issue to heart, but to motivate them enough to write a letter, buy a shirt and work for an hour.

We know that if we succeed, we can help bring an end to this crisis.

While the distance between Darfur and Michigan may appear great, we have an obligation as citizens of the world to act. As free people, we feel we have a responsibility to pursue social justice by responding to this growing tragedy. As human beings, we believe that we each have an obligation to stand up and take action to stop this horror from continuing. We must provide tangible relief to those suffering in Darfur.

By raising money to help provide food, water, shelter and infrastructure to those living in refugee camps, we can each be responsible for saving lives. However, raising funds alone will not stop the ongoing genocide. We also have a responsibility to rally our government and governments around the world to take action. On campus, we now have an opportunity to work as a community to save those who are suffering and fight the hatred that is at the root of this evil.

We're ready to work for food. Are you?

Jeremy Davidson is an LSA junior. Josh Cohen is an LSA sophomore. They are co-chairs of Will Work for Food.