FARGO (AP) - Ninth-grader Nealul Andrew, whose family found a new life in Fargo, wants to help other new Americans.

Nealul, 14, and her sister, Atoung, 12, have organized a fundraiser to help refugee families.

"I know what they're going through because I've been there," Nealul said.

Eight years ago, her family was among those who trekked from the Sudanese capitol, Khartoum, to Egypt and finally, to Fargo.

When they arrived in the United States, they said, many people reached out to help them.

"We're grateful for Americans," Nealul said. "We were able to get through things."

Today, the family of nine lives in a modest south Fargo home.

The sisters are trying to collect toys, clothes, shoes and other supplies to give to other families and to send with their mother to Sudan in February.

"We already have more than enough," Nealul said. "Why not help others?"

The girls said they were motivated by the needs they see in Africa through pictures on TV, in newspapers or in photos their mother brought back from her trip to Sudan last year.

"We just wanted to do something good, something helpful," Nealul said. "I just wanted to give back."