Amherst College
Converse Hall
Cole Assembly Room
Wed., Nov. 14th, 7pm
Come hear “Lost Boys of Sudan” tell their stories that draw upon issues of culture, race, and assimilation while also being stirred up again when being back home. They will speak about what it’s been like adapting to life in New England as well as returning home to Sudan after being away for 6 years.Event format is as follows:
- 45 min. screening of the film Homecoming in Southern Sudan
- Panel Presentation – Q & A Session
- Reception and Refreshments
“The Lost Boys of Sudan” were brought to the Boston area in 2001 by the State Department after spending nine years in a refugee camp in Kenya. With no family support, having had minimal formal education and no previous exposure to western culture, most of these young people were able only to work full-time menial jobs, making it virtually impossible for them to achieve their goals of obtaining an education. In response, communities in the eastern part of the state joined together to form the non-profit organization, The Friends of the Sudanese (FOS) in order to offer mentoring, financial, and education support for these youth. This example demonstrates how this global phenomenon is directly linked to our local context.The UMass Peace Corps Chapter in collaboration with other departments at UMass and withing the 5-Colleges want to celebrate the resiliency and strength of these young men and women during International Education Week.
We will present the 45-minute documentary film by Alex Reiser entitled Homecoming in Southern Sudan. This film, which has been aired on the WGBH television show Greater Boston, is an account these young men’s long awaited return to their families in the Sudan during a trip in January of 2006. A panel of Lost Boys, along with members of the FOS will share their experiences and insights on the film and the journey that they have shared together for the past six years adapting to issues of race, class, and assimilation.
Filed under: "Lost Boys", Sudan, film
