Description
The inspiring true story of a teacher and community leader who led twenty thousand Lost Boys to safety during the Second Sudanese Civil War - now available for younger readers.
During the Second Sudanese Civil War, thousands of South Sudanese boys were displaced or orphaned. In 1989, teacher and community leader Mecak Ajang Alaak lead the Lost Boys on a four-year journey from Ethiopia to Kenya to protect them from becoming child soldiers. This is the account of that extraordinary true story as told by his son, Yuot, who walked beside him every step of the way. It is an inspiring tale about a man who never ceased to believe that the pen is mightier than the gun.
Review
This remarkable book has been made into a younger readers version, making it accessible to secondary students. This is the true story of Mecak Ajang Alaal, as told by his son Yout, of how Mecak lead 20,000 boys, mostly on foot, from war torn South Sudan into Ethiopia, and finally back into South Sudan and onto Kenya to safety.
He was an inspirational man who through education and faith always taught that the pen is more powerful than the gun. He was a teacher who dreamed of building many schools throughout South Sudan to give his people the best chance to succeed in the world.
But when those from the nation’s capitol Khartoum, in the North, tried to force Sharia law and the speaking of Arabic on the South, civil war ensued. With villages being attacked by soldiers, many evacuated to neighboring countries to seek refuge.
This lead Mecak’s family into an Ethiopian refugee camp, but when civil war broke out there too he decided to take all 20,000 boys and many families back into South Sudan - with the war raging - and on into Kenya.
This was a grueling journey, where they walked while trying to avoid being killed by gunfire, wild animals and starvation. They mostly survived through their trust in the leadership of this wonderful man.
This is an inspirational and eye opening story that gives an insight into the politics that caused the civil war, and the plight faced by so many refugees. Many of these, including Mecak and his son Yout, are grateful to have been given refuge in Australia. Their love of their Dinka culture and desire for a peaceful South Sudan has never waned, and they were so happy when South Sudan was declared an independent country in 2011. Although further civil war has occurred in South Sudan, after reading this story you can only join them in hoping for a long lasting peace.
This is a terrific true story that can be read and enjoyed by secondary students of all ages.
