Students Meet a Lost Boy of Sudan

Funded May 16, 2018

Philip Jot Duk, a Lost Boy of Sudan, spoke to all 6th grade students at our middle school about his experience being forced from his home in order to save his life. Philip lived in the southern part of Sudan where the people identified themselves as African while the people in northern part identified as Arab. Wanting to Arabize the South and have access to the rich minerals found in the south, the country was embroiled in a civil war for two decades. The children in the south witnessed their parents begin murdered and feared being conscripted into the army. So, 26,000 boys began the 1000 mile march to safety, but only 10,000-12,000 survived finally settling in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Ethiopia. In 2001, approximately 3,800 Lost Boys were offered resettlement in the United States with the aid of a program organized by the United States and the United Nations. Boys were settled in many cities across the U.S. Philip's group settled in Boston.

The students had just finished the novel Home of the Brave by Kathryn Applegate, the story of one Lost Boy who settled in the U.S. Although compelling and heartfelt, meeting an actual Lost Boy added considerable value to the students' understanding of this tragic event in history. Philip spoke about his experience while referring to the history of the conflict and the events in the book and how they personally related to his experience. He lived in the refugee camp for 10 years before settling in Boston earning an education and U.S. citizenship.

Such an experience for the students rarely happens. Philip is a very engaging speaker open to all questions. The students were thrilled to be able to ask even the most difficult questions that had emerged while reading the novel, questions the instructors were unable to answer. Philip had visited our school many years ago and was excitedly greeted by former 6th graders as he walked down the hall. His life experience had an impact on our students providing them with the opportunity to step out of their everyday lives and expand their world views, an important value as they prepare for their life's work.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Rogers