History

Who are the “Lost Boys of Sudan”?

The Lost Boys of Sudan refers to the nearly 30,000 boys who were displaced during the Sudanese Civil War that began in 1983 (over 2 million killed). It was mostly boys that were displaced as many were able to escape to the bush when their villages were attacked. The adults of the villages were typically killed, while the young girls were kidnapped, raped or killed. The young boys made long, dangerous treks to find safety at relief camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. In 2001, about 3,800 Lost Boys were selected for resettlement in the United States. In 2005, a peace treaty was signed ending the 20 year civil war, and many Lost Boys returned home for the first time. Those returning have found their villages practically devoid of infrastructure, services, or health care. The non-profit organization "Doctors without Borders" classifies Sudan as one of the top 10 humanitarian crisis of 2008. This organization produced an excellent on-line video about the current situation in Southern Sudan.

Who is Deng?

Deng Jongkuch was born in Southern Sudan in the rural village of Gwalla in Bor County. In 1987, when he was only five years old, he was separated from his family during a civil war between government troops and Southern rebels. He escaped to Ethiopia only to experience war again within 4 years. In 1991, he escaped from Ethiopia and spent a year walking across the hot desert to a refugee camp in Kenya. In the Kenya refugee camp he was cared for and was educated through high school. In 2001, he was selected along with 3,800 other “Lost Boys of Sudan” to go to the United States. He recently graduated California State University-San Jose majoring in Health Sciences. Deng is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Health. Deng went back to his village in the summer of 2005 when the civil war ended and was reunited with his mother and father after 18 years. Deng was dismayed to find his village in poor condition with no roads, clean water or school. He is passionately committed to helping re-build his village and returns to Southern Sudan every year during school breaks.

How can you help?

Make a Donation to Impact a Village, Inc.
Every dollar makes an impact! We can make a difference in Sudan one dollar, one brick, one project, one village at a time. A high percentage of your donation goes directly to projects, and projects are approved and funded on an individual basis. Past projects included purchasing and installing a grain grinding machine in Gwalla. View Photos of Grinding Machine Project. The latest project was the building of a school in the village of Malek, Southern Sudan which was completed in the summer of 2009. View Photos of Malek School Project.Get Involved!

Host a Speaking Engagement with Deng
Deng Jongkuch is an inspiring speaker with an amazing story of courage. He transcended great hardships as a Lost Boy of Sudan and offers the message of hope, the importance of never giving up, and giving back to the community. Help us bring Deng's important message to your community. We can arrange for Deng to speak at your school, community center, or place of worship in the Sacramento or San Francisco bay area. A small donation to ImpactAVillage is requested to help improve villages of Southern Sudan. Please download our list of fund raising ideas. To host a speaking event with Deng, please contact Lisa Wade, President of Impact a Village lisafwade@gmail.com. Get involved!

"Deng's presentation was extraordinary, and I have never seen so many people in our school cafeteria ever. Deng was a captivating and motivating speaker, and his story kept scores of teenagers riveted and inspired. Deng's presentation raised the awareness of a community. It was abundantly clear to me and the parents who spoke with me afterwards that we need to find more opportunities to sponsor speakers from around our globe who have compelling stories and life experiences "a world apart" from ours. As I watched dozens of students crowd to shake Deng's hand or give him a hug, I knew that for a moment at least, they were thinking globally and about the plight of others." Mr. Mike McGuire, Principal Granite Bay High School

Why give to Impact a Village?

With the 2005 Peace Agreement in place, the Southern Sudanese are eager to rebuild their society. The educational needs are urgent as Sudan currently has the lowest access to primary education in the world. According to UNICEF, only 33% of children between the ages of 7-14 go to school, only 10% of the girls go to school(the lowest rate in the world), and over 93% of all women in Southern Sudan are illiterate. Your donation will make a difference and help fund projects that improve quality of life and education. Deng will be personally involved to assure each project is completed on time and within budget. There are other US non-profit organizations helping to rebuild Sudan, and where appropriate, Impact a Village will combine resources to eliminate duplication of efforts. We are committed to helping Sudan one dollar, one brick, one village at a time.