The Lost Boys Overcoming Trauma:

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

On September 18, 2004, the Sudanese Student Association of Salt Lake Community College will present

The Lost Boys Overcoming Trauma: Reflections on and Celebration of Success in the USA.

In the early 1980’s, the war in Sudan drove more than 30,000 Lost Boys/Girls into the deserts of Southern Sudan. The children survived starvation, predatory animals and government attacks, as they walked more than 1,000 miles to Ethiopia, back to Sudan, and finally to Kenya. They lived in the Kakuma refugee camp for the next 10 years struggling for food and education. Of the 16,000 who made it to Kenya, 4,000 were allowed to come to the United States for a chance at a better education. The members of the Sudanese Student Association of Salt Lake Community College are taking full advantage of this education and are finding ways to encourage their friends to do the same through this education celebration.

As the keynote speaker, Dr. Lako Tongun will present “The Lost Boys Overcoming Trauma: Reflections on and Celebration of Success in the USA.” Dr. Tongun was a “lost boy” from the 1950s war in Sudan during the 1950’s and has since obtained several university degrees including a Ph.D. in Political Science. He is an Associate Professor of International/Intercultural Studies and Political Studies at Pitzer College. In his presentation, Dr. Tongun will discuss his Lost Boy life experience from Sudan to the United States and his education and successes.

Abdullahi A. Gallab teaches sociology at Brigham Young University. He was a Sudanese journalist working for Arabic newspapers around the world and has served previous Sudanese governments before 1989 in several capacities. He will present Sudan's Religious Heritage: Islam, Christianity, and Africanity, which addresses the Sudan's complex religious heritage and looks at the Sudanese soul in its complexity and its long search for its own well?being and peace.

Also presenting will be James Alic Garang and Amadou Niang. James was one of the first Lost Boys to receive his Associates Degree. He is currently a McNair Scholar and Junior in Economics at the University of Utah. James will present “Political Instability (War) and Economic Development: The consequences of war in the Sudan.” Amadou is an education specialist and a former Fulbright Scholar from Mali, West Africa. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Foundations at the Department of Education Culture & Society. Amadou Niang’s doctoral research focus is on Sudanese Refugees’ integration in Salt Lake City, which will be the topic of his discussion.

There are currently 140 Lost Boys/Girls in Utah and with more than 90 students, Salt Lake City currently has the largest population of Lost Boys/Girls enrolled in school in the U.S. The first Lost Boys/Girls to graduate from college this year. The Lost Boys Overcoming Trauma will be an inspirational event about success and education as well as an opportunity to share food and history from the Sudanese culture.

Tickets for the event are $7.50 and can be obtained by calling Abraham Gai, Sudanese Student Association President, at 801-792-9745 [email protected] or check made payable to (Sudanese Club of SLCC) and send it to (273 East Rosewood Avenue: Salt Lake City UT 84115) or by visiting the African Mini Grocery Store at 1880 south. Redwood Road in SLC.

On September 18, 2004

والله يا رودا الواحد يتحسر على كمية السودانيين المؤهلين القاعدين برّة البلد...
وفى نفس الوقت يقول الحمد لله اللقو فرصة للحياة الكريمة و التعليم فى الخارج....
ربنا يسهل بس...
أنور