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James's StoryValerie Ong and Aaron Thrush Fittingly, they are called the Lost Boys, after Peter Pan's cadre of orphans. These boys were displaced and/or orphaned during Sudan’s 20 year civil war. Unfittingly, they are called the Lost Boys, because these boys, now men, escaped the war and have found unwavering hope and resilience in their journeys, shared and separate, to Kenya, Ethiopia and the United States. The story of James puts a human face on the plight of the Lost Boys, illustrating one young boy’s struggle to escape the war in Sudan. In 1985, James left his home because of attacks in his village. He left his parents and two younger brothers. Traveling with a group of boys, most of them older than James, he fled to Ethiopia. James says that he was fortunate to be at such a young age during this time. As a 5 year old he was only vaguely aware of the dire situation the boys were in. There were days when there was nothing to eat, when they did not know which way to go, and when they had to hide during the day and walk only in the darkness of the night. The older boys were responsible for taking care of younger ones like James, to whom they would often sacrifice their portion of food and whose psychological burdens they carried. This resulted in more deaths of older boys, as James remembers it. The boys became a band of brothers; they became a family. In the refugee camps in Ethiopia, James participated in soccer and running competitions, proudly remembering that he was the fastest sprinter in the camp. However, the situation in many of the refugee campus was hostile and the camps lacked basic necessities. Their stay in Ethiopia came to an abrupt halt when a new government sent the Ethiopian military to drive them out. James crossed the River Gilo himself, though he did not know how to swim. He saw many people die because of the high water and the crocodiles. After 7 years in Ethiopia, the Lost Boys made their way back through Sudan to Kenya. James stayed in Kakuma Refugee Camp for 6 years, at which time he was able to leave the camp and move to Nairobi. He met his wife Adhar in Nairobi. Adhar is in Nairobi, though she plans to move to Uganda where the cost of living is less. James’ parents and siblings, who he was able to reconnect with through Adhar, remain in southern Sudan. James, however, currently resides in central Pennsylvania; he is one of 3,800 Lost Boys who have resettled in the United States. The Lost Boys are scattered in about 38 cities and many have touched the lives of their host communities. Unfortunately, many Sudanese refugees were not granted asylum in the United States due to stricter immigration policies as a result of 9/11. Although James’ journey to the United States is similar to that of other Lost Boys, each experience is unique. Regardless, many of these young men remain optimistic for their personal futures, and that of southern Sudan. When the South was given a measure of autonomy in 2005, James was adamant that rapid development would ensue. Schools, hospitals, and roads would be built. Though this reconstruction has been painfully slow, James is hopeful that southern Sudan will gain its independence and prosper. He wants to return to Sudan and be with his family in what he calls the most beautiful country on earth. Additional Resources on the Lost Boys:
Valerie Ong is a Legislative Fellow at the MCC Washington Office working on issues related to refugees, internally displaced persons, and asylum-seekers and a friend of James. Aaron Thrush is a previous tutor and friend of James. |
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