Woman helps "Lost Boys" of war-torn Sudan
Joe Beasley and Emily Perry
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
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"I, along with the rest of the world, turned the channel hoping someone else would come to their rescue."
But Hecht would soon find herself more involved than she could have imagined.
Recently the GSC Colloquium Series began the new semester in the Continuing Education/Performing Arts Center on the Gainesville Campus, with a crowd of approximately 250 students, faculty and community members who wanted to know more about the plight of the Lost Boys.
In 2001 the first group of Sudanese children were granted refugee status and permitted to come to the U.S. Hecht, living in Jacksonville, FL., saw her chance to help these "lost boys."
The term "lost boys" was coined by aid workers who were reminded of the characters in the story of Peter Pan.
Hecht formed a non-profit organization known as the Alliance for the Lost Boys. She later captured their story in a book as well.
For over 20 years Sudan was gripped in a civil war between the Arab Muslims to the North and black Christians/Animists (those who practice tribal traditions) in the South. The Muslims gained control of the country and sought to form a united Islamic Sudan.
Conflict arose between the Muslims and those who wished to worship in a different manner, and this led to whole villages being attacked and conquered by the Muslims. It was during these raids on small villages that mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles were being slaughtered, and the children ran into the darkness of the African bush to escape.
These children, as young as four, gathered in large groups and walked for months without food, water, shelter and proper protection from wild animals, to the Ethiopian border where they hoped to find refuge.
Not only did the children lack the basic necessities to survive the wilderness, during this time they were also being hunted by Northern Sudanese troops. Many children perished along the way.
"The trail which the boys traveled was an easy one to make out," Hecht said. "Just follow the bones and dead bodies."
Hecht shared a number of photographs depicting throngs of children, all boys, who were captured on film as they entered refugee camps.
Atem Da'Hajhock, one of Hecht's "Lost Boys" and her unofficially adopted son, also spoke at the event.
"I will not allow those images to determine my tomorrow. What I do today will determine my tomorrow."
It was explained to the audience there were no girls allowed in the refugee camps. According to Sudanese custom, if any females have surviving relatives, they must stay with them at all costs.
Upon entering the U.S., the boys had to get jobs to pay their living expenses within 90 days of their arrival. This proved to be a feat because the boys knew little about assimilating with modern American culture. Never having used such things as electricity, running water and even something as simple as a straw used to drink with, Hecht said the boys' conforming became a difficult task.
"But not only did they persevere, they thrived," she said. "Many of them are working two jobs as well as attending school full time."
Even while stranded in refugee camps on the Ethiopian boarder, the Lost Boys understood the importance of gaining knowledge. "Education is our only mother and father" became their motto.
"I was blessed to be the first person in my family to get a college degree," Da'Hajhock said. "The Good Book says, 'to whom much is given, much is required.' I feel I have to give back."
Da'Hajhock said he wants to make sure what happened to him will never happen again. Once he obtains a degree in law, Da'Hajhock plans to return to Sudan where he hopes to change what is wrong with his war-torn country. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi.
"Be the change you want to see in the world," he said.
Andrew Wilkinson, GSC student government president, attended Hecht's presentation after he had heard about the Lost Boys from a friend.
"I thought it was incredible," Wilkinson said. "We don't have our perspectives broadened like they should be. It's so easy to take everything for granted and hard for us to look outside our own comfort zone."
Hecht said that the Lost Boys enabled her to think beyond herself also.
"They brought home what's most important in life," Hecht said. "They made me focus on things outside of myself. I am a better mother and a better person by having known these amazing young men."
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