ground zero for war between the Pagol and Awan clans. Earlier in the 1800s, this land was rather sought after, yet the people still suffered. As if the war alone wasn’t a reason enough to trouble the people living there, there was also this draught and flood that people of that land had to survive through.

known as the First Sudanese Civil War, a conflict that took place between Central Sudan government and the Southern Sudan, took place. The Rebellion continued till 1972, years before I was born. The regions that we know today as the North and South Sudan were back then a single country.

that consists of the luxuries that are common in city life. Children play games, do fun activities to pass their time, and sit around the fire telling folktales without making their parents worry in the least. There was no fear of being mugged, and children stayed outside their homes to play for hours after the sunset.

that empowers you with emotions and critique. Over the course of your childhood, those of you who have siblings would know just how beautiful this relationship is. When you grow up together, you learn several things, play, party, study, and argue on several occasions with each other.

of himself in me when I was a child. He used to sit me down and tell me that a day will come when I’ll have to stand up on my own feet and take care of those who were dependent on me. See, everyone in the world has responsibilities, and everyone has their own way of transitioning.

broke out. It stole more than 2.5 million lives and displaced more the four million people. May 18th, 1983, was the doomsday that changed the fate of the entire country. I was in my bed, fast asleep when my father stormed inside. “Son, wake up!” his voice quivered.

people to join the military, there came a time when they eventually made it to my doorstep. By this time, three of my cousins, all of who were of my age, had been summoned to join the army. My father talked to his brothers and other cousins and asked them about what to do.

he dreams of. Those big dreams of becoming an iconic person every time you woke up in the morning, making your parents proud, living up to your family’s expectations, etc., are what every child thinks about while growing up. The majority of the children worldwide live a safe, secure life that is free from hardships.

names, minors, orphans, and Red Army, defending organizations, communities, and authorities we aligned ourselves with. When we were in Ethiopia, defending the location or the camp we lived in was our primary duty. Now I know the thought of minors serving in war is bizarre, but this was our fate we were exposed to, and valiantly, we fought.

most people were Dinka, including my parents. Dinka people have been practicing Ancestral Spirits like Banydeng (the Lord of the Rain) for centuries. I was first introduced to this practice when I was only a child. I remember spending most of my time sitting beside my father, always listening and communicating with Banydeng through the seer.

just come back that evening after hunting for food when we learned about another attack. Being in the force was like a new shock every second – one would remain on their toes all the time because we didn’t know when death would be on our heads.

to join the army to survive. Although I was young, and since I had already undergone military training, joining the SPLA army gave me access to a gun that I could use for hunting wildlife for food to survive. At that time, the Sudan government had sanctioned airplanes, including the United Nations, from flying in its airspace.

People Liberation Movement/Army lost the war to the government. From 1991 to 1992, the Sudan government mobilized different militia groups from Southern Sudan against the SPLM/A forces, making the government stronger than in eight years of fighting the SPLM/A. To appease the Sudan regime, those who defected exposed the movement’s plans and tactics of defeating the government.

it was turning from a war zone to a business center. Kenya entrepreneurs were bringing goods to Narus and selling them to locals who, in return, sold their livestock for meat processing that goes as far as Kenya Capital Nairobi. Although there were air bombardments from the Sudan government troops, businesses and local people were taking risks.

. After The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan was announced, I waited years before they flew me to America, though in that waiting period, a lot changed. Although I was disappointed, I knew that I couldn’t wait for something uncertain to happen; therefore, I comprehended that I needed to do something with my life.

Airport, boarded a British Airways airplane, on Sunday, August 26, 2001, I was still not fully certain that I was leaving and going the United States of America. Why? It was just how uncertain those times were.