Schooling Sudanese Refugees in Nairobi at Sud Academy
[Nairobi, Kenya 27°C] Below is a selection of photos taken at Sud Academy, a primary/secondary school for Sudanese refugees in a poor neighbourhood of Nairobi, Kenya. The school has a student population of more than 200 students, some of whom were abducted during the civil war by northern militia and enslaved by them to tend the cattle stolen in the raid. Lino Madut Angok is ne of the abductees who was freed, as indicated in his letter (below) by an organization called Redemption(?). Although I recognize the benefit Lino has received by being freed from bondage, there is much debate (here, here and here) about the practice of redemption (buying the slave’s freedom) and its ability to end slavery in Sudan.
The first photo is of Lino Madut Angok, who used to be a student in Sud Academy but has since changed schools with the help of Kellee Jacobs and contacts she has in Canada. Profiles of Lino and four other students who have just left Sud Academy to finish their last year of high school at Riruta Central School can be found on Kellee Jacobs’ blog. Kellee has been actively working with Sud Academy during a volunteer stage there and has written about it on her blog.
Lino carries around the accompanying double-sided letter to inform people of his situation and his history to help get support wherever possible. He showed it to me while visiting him at his new school and allowed me to post it here. It is apparantly a common practice for these boys (men) to always have such a letter to use when needed.
The following portraits are of the student leaders from the Sud Academy whom I asked to point out the badges they wear that represent their leadership role at the school. Although there wasn’t enough time to speak with each of the following students individually about their personal stories that brought them here as refugees, these portraits provide a glimpse into their respective personalities, their shared histories and the perseverance that will carry them forward.
hi David
am lino madut Angok,
how are you with your wife? it been a long time since you visited me in my former School in Nairobi.
thank you very much.
may God bless Canada.
thank you so much. i hope you are doing well BurningBillborad it has been a long time now since you visited me in my former School in Nairobi.
i do proud of Kellee jacobs all the time. family, friends and Canadian.
this is my phone no :………………
ATTENTION TRISA
hay
I’m Mareng. former Sudacademy student who now live in Australia. I would like to help but I dont have Sud contact detail.
Please TRISA And OJOK BOSCO can you contact as soon as possible on +61421500229 and mareng@live.com.au
thanks
:)
mareng
thank that is perfect guys. it really mazing appreciative to you the school leaders. keep that spirit im really happy about this.
when I was there in Sud Academy in 2004 t0 2007there wasn’t nothing like that. I just knew my lost friends now as leaders, like Joseph Deng, mariak kuol and many of them.
you be in touch with me: m.mareng@y7mail. or cal me: +61421500229
asanteni sana mungu atakubariki
This is an amazing work you folks are doing; every little contribution each one of you make, counts. It does inspire, even for those who browse and hope to contribute too.
Hey David,
Glad to see you’ve made it… I was waiting to hear the ruling yesterday also— it was obvious what it would be, but what isn’t obvious is how things will move on from here (if at all). I think there is great danger of a resurgence of violence across the board if attempts are made to bring Bashir in- in theory, it’s the right thing to do. In reality, we have to wonder what the consequences will be. Hopefully you will be able to shed some light on that in the future- and turn your comments on!!!
Wondering if I can use a couple of the pics you took of students for an article I’m doing on Sud in the Sudan Mirror? I have some but the resolution isn’t very good…. let me know if you have a problem with it. Good luck Khwaja…….. ;)
Great pics Dave! How’re the malaria meds sitting?
Looking forward to your next update!
Hi David ~
Hope you are fine. I’m Trisa, the Canadian who is involved in raising funds for Sud Academy. It was a pleasure to read about your brief visit and see all the pictures of the determined students!
Thanks for posting.
Trisa
Magnifiques photos. Ce sont de très beaux portraits, on croirait à une photo de groupe mais découpée. Et merci pour le lien sur le blog de Kellee, très intéressant. Elle nous en dit plus sur ces garçons et l’histoire de leurs vies.
Good post, you rock!