The Lost Boys

There is a major issue in Africa these days that not many people know about. Is been going on since 1983 when north and south Sudan started fighting over their resources and oil. The violence started in 1950 when the north and south saw they had different religious views, many people were being killed and raped it was due to that Muslim religion versus the Catholic religion. Then in 1987 there was a ruling to kill all-male children. They were brutally beaten and then killed. There was a movie created called Gods Grew Tired of Us and it is about lost boys of Sudan who had to flee during the Civil War. Their homes had been destroyed and many of them had to flee to Ethiopia in order to survive. In order to escape the brutality they had to travel thousands of miles into what they thought would be safe in Ethiopia. These boys ranged from the ages of 5 to 10 years old and many had no families just had to take care of themselves. They were left with no food, water or shelter and were forced to eat mud and drink their own urine. Many of these young boys died along the way and others were very ill. Once they reached Ethiopia they stayed for a minimal amount of time but then they had to flee again to Kenya in order to be safe therefore they had to walk through Sudan to get to the Kenya refugee camps. In the refugee camps they would receive food and water and shelter even know it was not enough for everyone. They had food rations and minimal shelter. These young boys learned to take care of themselves and as they did they formed families and started to help one another.  The movie talks about three individuals named Panther, John, and Daniel who were the lost boys. It talks about their journey in the refugee camps and how they created your own form of government and how they took care of each other in order to survive. They talk about how difficult it was having to leave their homes and not know if their other family members were still alive. In 1992the United Nations came in and helped these boys. They gave some of these boys opportunity to travel to America in order to make a living for them and be even get a higher educated. They were relocated all around the United States such as New York and Pittsburgh. When the boys got there they were given apartments and did not know how to use basic necessities such as soap, toilets, showers, and certain foods. Once they were able to work, many of them were working more than two jobs in order to make more money. They would work a days and nights and send all of their money back to Africa in order to help fellow brothers. They felt guilty being here and having to leave them behind and know that they are living in better conditions but they saw that it was important to be role models for the boys. They would show them that they can excel and have a better life. We must help these boys survive and show them that there is a purpose to their life. We must get involved and help them as when they came here they started a movement to educate others on the situation. As human beings we should all be willing to help one another. These boys have been without families in need help a small portion of money could get some food and shelter and what are they need in order to survive. The boys have witnessed a lot having to leave their homes at a young age from such violence. If you would like to donate money here is a website where there are lists of places you can. If you would like more information on the boys and why they need help, look at the UNICEF website.