Lost Boys of Sudan find a home at VCU

A few members of the Lost Boys of Sudan shared their unique life experiences at a movie-and-discussion event Monday evening at the University Student Commons.

VCU students Magai Bol, Peter Majang, Maker Marial and Manyang Aluong talked about the second Sudanese Civil War and the challenges of living in America after surviving the conflict.

Following the presentation of “Lost Boys of Sudan,” a documentary about the lives of a group of Sudanese boys in the United States, the panelists referred to the movie as a realistic portrayal of their lives in Richmond after they first arrived from Africa.

“The guys in the film, they were kind of surprised, for what they were seeing,” said Bol, president of the African Student Union and a second-year international relations and French double major.

“They thought America was going to be this beautiful place. ‘We don’t have to do anything.’ But as the time goes on, you kind of realize that it’s just like Africa – you have to work for everything you want to get. Nothing is granted.”

Beverly Walker, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, directed the discussion. Walker said the Lost Boys she works with are eager in their studies despite the challenges they face on a daily basis.

Marial, a senior criminal justice major, said the differences between the United States and Africa are sometimes difficult to overcome.

“You land in another country where the language is very different, and the culture is very different,” Marial said. “We went through a lot. Some of us are naturally thinking of going back.”

Marial said a fellow Lost Boy approached him, discouraged by his new life in America. He wanted to go back to Sudan, but Marial advised him to buy a two-way plane ticket.

“When it is good, stay,” Marial advised his friend. “And when it is not good, come back.”

The guy, Marial said, returned two months later.

“The life there is very tough,” Marial said.

Despite the hardship of life in Sudan, Marial said he could help his people using his future professional degree.

“My plan is to become a human right(s) lawyer,” he said. “My future plan is to get my law degree, and when I get my degree, I will go back to Sudan, and I will help people.”