A Closer Look at Sudanese Refugee Resettlement

UMCOR Note: No more Sudanese youth ("Lost Boys of the Sudan") are expected in the near future. We will update this web page when we learn more will be coming. These will be fewer in number and will need to go to the approved resettlement sites.

   "The enemy shot at us as we ran." These words by 17 year old Dau Jok Thon evoke the experience of many of the "Lost Boys of the Sudan" as they fled the war, famine, and forced recruitment by their own hostile government.

   An estimated two million people have died and four million have been made refugees in the eighteen year old civil war in Sudan. Starting in the late 1980s, thousands of Sudanese boys trekked to Ethiopia to flee the war. They remained in camps in Ethiopia until a newly-elected government expelled them in 1991, and they were forced to return to Sudan. Still threatened by the civil conflict, in 1992 the boys began to walk again, this time to northwest Kenya, where Kakuma camp was established to protect them. On their two treks, they covered hundreds of kilometers, and faced gunfire, lion and crocodile attacks, disease and starvation. The youth have no knowledge of where their families are or whether they are alive or dead. They have waited many years for the opportunity to resettle and rebuild their lives. Last year, the United States offered to resettle 3,600 of these "lost boys."

   Grouped in threes or fours, the Sudanese young men, now in their late teens and twenties, are being resettled in sites in the US where expertise and special services are provided for these refugees refugees who have been deprived of their childhood and family life. In addition to expert case workers, sponsoring churches make an invaluable contribution to the adjustment of the refugees.

   On December 4, 2000, Dau, who goes by Samuel, and his cousins, Moses and Abraham arrived in Syracuse. The three very gaunt and thinly clad young men arrived in the snow of a northern winter to a warm reception from Andrews Memorial UMC, James Street UMC, and the Church World Service (CWS) staff. The three young men are Christian, attend church and speak English that they learned by faithfully attending classes at the refugee camp.

   The two United Methodist Churches have worked with the local CWS caseworker to provide the young men with a foundation on which they can rebuild their lives: an apartment, furnishings, clothing, kindly guidance and friendship, accompaniment to appointments, help in learning to cook for themselves, shop, and prepare for job interviews. After having lived on a very limited refugees camp diet for many years, the young men have been introduced by the church members to different foods and cooking. A Sudanese woman has been hired to show them how to cook their own dishes, and a retired nurse is helping them with nutrition. Church members play a vital role in helping refugees adapt to a new culture and become a part of the community.

   Abraham and Moses, who are both 27, feel responsible for 17-year old Samuel. When the church arranged for Samuel to attend Nottingham High School, Abraham asked questions to assure himself of the suitability of the school. Samuel is doing well on his tests. Abraham and Moses have begun work at a hospital food service, distributing meals to patients until they are more confident of their cooking skills. They are anxious to work, but apprehensive since they have never held jobs before. Church members have encouraged them to start with part-time work and feel confident that they will do very well at their jobs– the two are very personable.

   Abraham, Moses and Samuel have attended either Andrews or James St. UMC every week since their arrival. Their charm and open personalities have already made them well known in their local community.

   United Methodist Churches located in Sudanese Youth Resettlement Sites are urged to seriously consider sponsorship of these refugees. The resettlement sites for the Sudanese young men are within a 50-mile radius of: Atlanta, Dallas, Lincoln/Omaha, Louisville, New Haven, Phoenix, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Syracuse, and Lancaster.

   If your church is interested in sponsoring refugees, please contact UMCOR's Refugee Ministries at (212) 870-3806. To support refugee resettlement ministries, give to Advance #982540-1, "Global Refugee Response." You can o make a donation online. Click here to make a secure online gift.

   Checks may be placed in United Methodist church offering plates or sent directly to UMCOR at 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, N.Y. 10115. Call (800) 554-8583 to make a credit card donation.

Photo: Samuel, Moses and Abraham are warmly welcomed to Syracuse at a church dinner given in their honor.