The "Lost Boys of Sudan"

     Prior to watching the video “Lost Boys of Sudan”, I knew next to nothing about them and the problems people were suffering from in Sudan.  It reminded me that I have heard that there were problems in Sudan but I had never really looked into the details at all. I was truly moved watching and listening to their experiences that I could never have imagined before. After losing family and friends to war and fighting many still managed to trek thousands of miles to the refugee camp, and that fact in itself is amazing. Where a lot of people would be depressed and give up, these boys mustered up the courage and strength to rise above the mess they were in.

      I learned that everyday commonalities ceased to even exist there; these boys had never knew cold, used a sink or toilet let alone flew on a plane or drove in a car. Seeing the transformations of several men that went from next to nothing, to becoming an American citizen, becoming a bishop, graduating school, learning to drive a car, etc. has been a real eye opener making me remember not to take my comfortable lifestyle for granted. The “American dream” for me has been a reality since I was born, but seeing others turn the dream into actuality is highly respectable and motivating to always strive further. 

     I think that the most negative experience they had was witnessing death all around them, seeing bodies floating in the water and scattered across the land. That image will never leave their minds and will forever haunt their dreams; one man even expressed that he continually suffers from nightmares.

     If these boys were in my class, I think I could have helped them learn by first educating myself about their situation and urging them to talk about their experiences and feelings to give myself and them a better understanding of the struggle. I would research and gather information about what had happened and is still happening in Sudan and compile it into a handout for all my students; increasing awareness of the past and present can only help the future for all students, let alone the ones that were directly involved. I would constantly remind them of how far they have already come which proves they are destined for success and can rise above any problems placed in front of them.