Soar Kenya

Hi!
Here’s my last message from Nairobi. Our plane leaves tomorrow morning for London, our little Toyota is tucked safely away at Kibera Kids’ Center, and I have a few minutes to tell you about the Sudanese refugees we met at Hopewell. Rashid called them up to meet us, and each was at least 6′4″, and as black and sleek as panthers. After I met and talked to them for a while, I realized that they are all just boys, (about 16 years old), lonely and struggling to fit into a foreign culture with no adults to guide them. I asked them to write me their story, and they did. Abraham or John wrote it, I think. Notice Deng’s last name.

I’ve included what I said to them. Feel free to write to them; I know they would be thrilled to hear from almost anyone. Lonely and afraid, they need all the moral support we can give them.

Thanks!
Darleen
From: johnsondarleen@hotmail.com
To: angokdau@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: RE: Sudanese students life story from Hopewell high school.
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:50:26 -0700

Dear John, Abraham, Elijah, Gabriel, Piol, and Deng,

I have heard stories like yours, and they are all very sad. Please know that the world is aware of your plight, and many of us care, but are too far away to help personally. I will do what I can to tell as many people as I can about your life, and we will see that you get an education at Hopewell.

I know it is not much, but be thankful that you have each other. Together, you will succeed, and we will help. Feel free to write to me at any time, and I will always answer you. The world can be an ugly place, but now you have reached safety, and you will have enough to eat and live among people like Rashid who want to help you succeed. Of course, you have already succeeded; you are alive! That in itself is a conquest of the spirit, and it shows what courage you all have. I am proud to know you, and to have met you personally.

Please join the ranks of my many sons.
Darleen Johnson
Mama Hopewell

Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 07:24:43 -0700
From: angokdau@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: Sudanese students life story from Hopewell high school.

HI! Baba Hopewell,
In the year 1987, Arabs came to southern Sudan and displaced every body who was there by shooting us,unfortunately, we never had weapons.We were only nomadic people who use to hunt. Our people who were learners were from northern Sudan in Khartoum . they were also killed. those who were educated and those who were nomadic were gathered and shoot down to death . So now we are living without parents here in Kenya and we came to Kenya through Lokichogio boarder and camped there until UNHCR.came to take us to migrate us to Kakuma refugee camp. they took care of us since 1991 to 2005. There, we were given only one cup of beans each after two weeks.we were to cook for ourselves In absence of fuel . Sincerely it was very terrible situation.In the year 2005, UNHCR cheated us that it was peaceful in Sudan. So we went back and the camp was banned up In Sudan the situation was worse than before.In the year 2007 we came to Nakuru and disagreed to go back. why because people we still killed.Approximately one hundred and eighty five Sudanese were kill by Arabs . So we had no hope in Sudan, because it has taken away our Fathers,Mothers and our big Brothers lives away.In fact life is worse to us here in Nakuru. we are depending on some people who run away with us but they are stable. We have no fathers and mothers here in Nakuru and even in Sudan.That assistance is limited especially education .Similar we have suffered substantial discrimination and persecution at the hands of Arabs,In the year 19991sudanese security force were revolted by Arabs. our mothers were in the second attack. The whole village started shooting the Arabs people. Many innocent people were killed including our mothers and uncles.During this incident of shooting, people were displaced. we were very young at that time. We were running away with people whom we didn’t know .The following students,having the eager to be educated are in Hopewell but have less support.
1.John Khot Duot .
2.Abraham Angok Dau.
3.Elijah Mabior Koul.
4.Gabriel Dau.
5.Piol Garang Lual.
6.Deng Johnson.
P.S please ask question where you don’t understand.

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