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July 2009 International News Coverage Of course we were proud our mission to Sudan (see below) was given wonderful coverage in the July 09 issue of Rotary International's magazine, Rotarian. (click the following link). http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/TheRotarian/Pages/Sudan0907.aspx It has already opened doors to additional networking opportunities with Rotarians attempting to help in Sudan.
Dec 2008 We sold this to family members as a goodwill journey. Truth be told, it was as much a chance for adventure and a hint of danger that lured us into the bush of worn-torn Sudan! Yes, that was our mission ... not a Mission Impossible, we hoped. The US Embassy in Khartoum discouraged us, saying "you're on your own". Sudan was rated as the least desirable place in the world to visit. Swell, there won't be a long line at the border to get in. Probably wouldn't be any tourism trinket shops to visit either. But there was a village in Sudan we've heard about that is hungry for hope. We were about to make a delivery.
Unfortunate miscommunication in the initial planning process resulted in me (Craig) going without Sharon. That led to unrest in our home, which still lingers. We'll save those details for another blog or as guests on Dr. Phil. I was pleased to be joined by Colin (22) and Ari (23) who were preceding me into Africa to explore Madagascar, not fully realizing Sudan was way off the tourist grid. Mothers of my two travel companions made vigorous efforts to advise them of the risks ... rightfully so. Even my Mom, Iola, suggested safer alternatives to help in Sudan . Cancer took her from us, only hours after Colin and Ari began their flights from Seattle to Africa. I had access to first-hand accounts and reassurances from visitors who had made the same journey last year. Our travels would coincide with the second annual Lost Boys reunion tour to Sudan over the Christmas holidays. We'd be spending our time in Wangulei with Lost Boys who were returning to their homes of birth, after an absence of 20+ years.
The 2007 trip assessment report indicated a community request to support education ... even ahead of health and agricultural needs. So we opted to purchase some items on the wish list to spend a portion of our collected funds. Buying bicycles for teachers, who were poorly paid, if at all, and walked up to three hours each way to school. Also school materials, including pens, papers and dictionairies. A woman working at the primitive, mud-hut school made a request for large cooking pots to feed the 400+ students a hot mid day meal. For some the only meal they might get. They had no pots to cook and no utensils to eat with. So we planned to buy tools for the school lunch program. |
"Don't you know," we were told by all those concerned. "Sudan is still aflame in civil war." Nope. At least not now. Darfur, in western Sudan, certainly is. But the south, that had 4 million people flee and 2 million killed in a 30 year civil war, has cooled off a bit. I was heading there, into New Sudan with son, Colin and his girlfriend, Ari. It would be Ari's first trip away from North America. A dirty Baptism for sure.
It had been 1 1/2 years since the end of the fund raising bike trip, Sharon, I & brother Rod completed across America. We had delayed investing those $$ until we could be sure they would be spent properly. That leads to an obvious challenge: to see this place in person. sweat with them, swat mosquitoes, dodge snakes and scorpions, eat their bland diet, dodge their contaminated drinking water and hear what they need most from the outside world. AND, most importantly, to establish a chain of trust and friendships. Yup, yup and yup. We did it all.
David Yak, a Lost Boy, now from Nebraska, returns to his home village after 20+ years.