vila student shares his courageous journey by Michelle Key
“I hope to help myself and other lost boys and girls by sharing my experiences.” – Ayuel Leek Deng –
On Sept. 18, Avila University student Ayuel Leek Deng’s book Courageous Journey: Walking the Lost Boys’ Path from the Sudan to America was released to the public through New Horizons Press. Leek collaborated with Barbara Youree and Beny Ngor Chad, a fellow Lost Boy, on the narrative non-fiction book. Courageous Journey follows the experiences of Leek and Chad during the civil war in Sudan, fleeing their burned villages, being displaced with thousands of other lost boys and girls and their journey to the United States. “These are my thoughts and feelings and this is my way of airing them out, to get them out of me,” Leek said. “The things that I’ve seen, those memories are killing me from the inside so I need to release them. I hope to help myself and other lost boys and girls by sharing my experiences.” The team has been working on the book since 2002 when Leek met Youree at church. Youree was a mentor for Leek, helping him adjust to American life. After listening to his stories, Youree asked what she could do to help. “I told her the way to help is to share my story,” Leek said. “So Barbara asked if I would help her write a book.” Leek and Chad met as children and, uniquely, were both sent to Kansas City. Through the writing process, Leek and Youree decided to add in the experiences of Chad. “Beny and I are from different regions, but from the same tribe and speak the same language,” Leek said. “We take care of each other. We are a united family, because we’re all we have. I consider him like my mother and father because he cared for me.” With the help of Youree and Chad, Leek said he is fulfilling his dreams. “Writing a book is part of my childhood dream,” Leek said. “I want to show other people what the lost boys and girls have gone through. My dream is to be a leader and save innocent people. I dreamed of opportunity and now I have it. Now, I hope for change.” In August, Leek presented a signed copy of the 330-page, hardcover book to Dr. David Wissmann, professor of sociology at Avila University. Leek said that after moving, it was hard to get comfortable within a new culture, and Wissmann encouraged Leek throughout his transition.
Unidentified “Lost Boy” carries his possessions from Sudan.
22
FALL
2008 Accent