Realising the Dream: Journey of a Lost Boy - Book Review

This autobiography of Akoi adds depth to the meaning of seeking human rights.

Akoi grew up feeling that he was part of a strong, cohesive community where everyone knew the rules and regulations of the society. More than that everyone played a role in the society and knew their role no matter whether they were boy, girl, wife, husband, aunt, uncle. The girls and women worked in the garden and there were wild fruit, berries and seeds to collect in addition to track and kill small animals.

The boys traveled further away as they worked with the men to care for the cattle that belonged to the tribe. Boys learned to use spears and catch fish. Akoi learned to tell time by the length of the shadows, how to find water, how to keep mosquitoes away and know which fruit and roots were not poisonous.

One warm night while the boys were caring for the cattle, loud shots rang out, and he could see that their village was on fire. They had been attacked by the Government forces from Northern Sudan.

After that terrifying night, Akoi fled from his village of Patuenoi, which is close to the Chad boarder, south, parallell with the Chad boarder and then across Southern Sudan into Ethiopia to a place called Pinyudo.

Thousands of Lost Boys managed to survive the journey, many did not. What kept Akoi going was the the promise of school, houses, beds, mattresses, food and water when they arrived. However, when they arrived there was nothing and the boys were devastated. Nothing here, and nothing left of their village, there seemed little choice but to start life anew.

It has been estimated that there were 16,000 lost boys who made their home at Pinyudo, and later when adults and young girls arrived the camp grew to 40,000 people.

At the age of 14, the boys were given a choice. They could go to a refugee camp in Kenya or they could continue their education in a military camp for military training. Akoi felt that he was ready to fight for the freedom of his people.

So began his journey from Pinyudo to Bonga. His education began with the use of rifles and fixed bayonetes before progressing to the AK-47. However, it was not long before they set out into the jungle with the Ethopian forces on their heels. Gunfire was used mainly to give the impression of a large army approaching, but more often than not, not used at all for fear of giving heir position away.

Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya was first home to about 11,000 lost boys who had fled from Ethiopia. However, when Akoi arrived in 1994, it covered an area of about 10 square kilometers and was home for up to 80,000 people. Not only Sudanese had sought refuge but also people from Somalia, Ethiopia, Burundi, Congo, Eritrea and Uganda.

On 8th March 2004, Akoi boarded a plane to start a new life in Adelaide, Australia. Upon arrival he began English classes at English Language Services and began looking for a job. For someone with only cattle hearding experience, finding a job was difficult. Therefore he became a volunteer at the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC).

He is now a full-time youth worker with the MRC and, having completed a bachelor degree is now studying for his Masters Degree. He is a role model for all young migrants.

Akoi is still passionate about an Independent Southern Sudan and has founded the Southern Sudan Emerging Education Development Foundation International (SSEEDFI) which is an organisation to support the building of health and eduation facilities in his home village of Patuenoi in the state of Jonglei, South Sudan.

All proceeds from the sale of this book go to South Sudan Emerging Education Development Foundation International (SSEEDFI)

Inquiries to donate or purchase this book should be made to:

SSEEDFI

11 Lochieven Avenue, Greenwith SA 5126, Australia