Lost Boys

The boys of Sudan did not have much  during the civil war. Their parents died, their sisters were sold to slavery. The boys cherished what they held onto very much in the refugee camp. The boys prayed very hard, hoping they would find their name on the board. Joseph and Abraham were very lucky to find their name and be able to take a plane to America. Joseph had no idea where Kansas City was but was just happy to get out of Sudan. There are a lot of new experiences they are going to encounter coming to the US. What we take for granted everyday such as a sink, can opener, toilet, etc is all new to Abraham and the others. Going to church however was something that he was able to relate to. Abraham cares greatly about his religion and carried his bible everywhere. The boys thought they were escaping from war, yet to find out 9-11 happened and such events happen all over the world. Joseph was lucky to drive a car for the first time. America is so different than everything they are used to. Abraham did the right thing, and became a US citizen. He felt so proud of himself and was very happy to live in America.  A lot of traumatic events have happened to Abraham He did not feel successful in the US but did have a good attitude about it and said "things happen". Abraham did not let the worst get the best of him. Abraham worked very hard and was able to finish college . Some lost boys have been successful, some have not. Some have got caught up in drugs and alcohol, have been arrested, or have joined the Army. Others, became doctors and lawyers. Abraham should feel successful from being able to make it in the US. Life is very different and him and the other boys have been through so much together. They should make it their goal to keep telling their story to everyone, because everyone should be proud of them. It must have taken a lot of courage to come to the US and leave everything, even though it was not much. They still left their home land that meant something to them. I am glad that Abraham became a bishop because religion was always very important to him, I'm happy to know he never gave up. Now he can preach within his community and express how he deeply feels. It was a very touching and emotional to watch when seeing Abraham talk to his mother after twenty-five years. I can't imagine the pain he must have felt when he had to leave her. Technology is such an amazing gift.

I personally have never heard about the historic events they have took place in Sudan. I knew that the Civil War was a rough time but I had no idea to what extent. They had to watch their homes burn and walked for three months. I can not imagine, i don't know how they survived. It is such a traumatic event that took place in their lives, I do not blame them for never being able to forget it. Joseph and Abraham always lived such a rough life that even though negative events took place in the US as well, the boys were able to be understanding to the fact that life is full of "ups and downs".

After watching the Lost Boys videos, I learned how much these boys have gone through in their lives and what they  have saw. The envisions are so critical that I can't imagine how these boys must have felt. These boys looked malnourished, they had no food or water. However, they did make it to Kenya, so it must have been very rewarding for them to feel safe at that time. The most surprising thing I learned about them was how strong they are. Here in the US people complain all the time, that their life is so hard. Comparing life in US to Sedan or even Kenya is like a magical place. I find them to be an inspiration because they have tried so hard to survive and then come to the US where they know nothing. In the US our culture and way of living is very different. Yet Joseph made it through college. His standards in himself are even higher than some Americans living in the US. The most negative event these boys went through to me was watching their homes burn down and them having to leave their families. Their home is all they had, everything the relied on and then all of the sudden they were left of their own.

If these boys were in my class I would make sure they were all being treated Psychologically. I think that is most important because if they are harmed by a traumatic event then that is all their minds are going to be focused on. These boys would not be expected to learn the curriculum everyone else in the class was learning. Coming from a place that is so different compared to the US these boys need to learn how to behave in the real world. I would teach these boys life skills for at least the first year. As a teacher I think that is most important because they also need to know how to function in society. Learning how to socialize and communicate is also very important. Academics are just as important in school but these boys would need to master their life skills first. It would definitely be a learning process and would take time and patients from the teacher and the boys.