The University News

Issue date: 1/26/09 Section: Culture

Media Credit: Heather Sprigler Speaker Ayuek Leek escaped from the Sudanese Civil War as a refugee.

The "Lost Boys" of Sudan are one of the tragic outcomes of the Darfur genocide.

More than 27,000 boys, some as young as seven, became refugees in the 1980s when thousands of villages were destroyed in the Sudanese Civil War. The boys wandered in packs throughout the African continent looking for homes and safety.

Last Friday night at The Writer's Place, one of the "Lost Boys," Ayuel Leek, was in Westport with Barbara Youree, co-author of the book "Courageous Journey." They wrote the book about his experiences in Sudan.

The story began in 2001 when Youree agreed to take care of nine African men, ages 18-22. After a few months, she began to interview Leek for an article she planned on publishing in a magazine.

Soon she discovered she wanted to turn the article into a book.

"[The story] just kept growing ... and I couldn't sell the article," Youree said.

It took her seven years to write the book. She would interview Leek and another "Lost Boy" Beny Ngor four hours a week to get their story.

"That was all anyone could take," she said. "It began with them not telling me any of their feelings, it was just too recent to deal with. But after awhile they could reach back and pull out their emotions."

They told her of their lives in Sudan where they lived peacefully and happily until their villages were attacked.

In the hustle of trying to flee, they were separated from their families and forced to join other "Lost Boys" from different villages. The boys wandered around for years looking for a place to call home.

"It was not a good journey, I can say," Leek said.

Many of the boys were shot at, killed by wild animals, died from diseases and, due to lack of water, forced to drink their own urine.

They finally settled down in Kenya and began to build a life. Leek and Ngor both decided to come to the U.S. in 2001 and that's where they met Youree.

Since then, Ngor has graduated from UMKC with a degree in Criminal Justice and went back to Sudan to bring his wife to America. Leek is a full-time student at Avila University, majoring in political science. He also works full-time at Penske.

Education is the top priority for Leek and Ngor.

"I believe with education things are possible," Leek said. "Take education seriously. It is the key to make you fit in anywhere."

Leek said he loves living in America and doesn't plan on going back to Sudan.

"I love this country because they respect the lives of each person... I want to transfer the peaceful lives of here to Sudan," he said. "I got nothing if I go back home. I know very few "Lost Boys" who want to go back. You go back when you expect something there, I have nothing."

He was excited when Youree decided to write the book.

"I was so happy because the more I talk the more I get the emotional problems out of me," Leek said. "Those moments will never leave me. I'm glad it's written in the book and the message is out."

tsheffield@unews.com

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