The way to America

The way to America

This story takes place in Juba, Sudan when 10 year old Mawien was in school. He had friends, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, 5 uncles, a father, and a mother. In his free time Mawien loves to play soccer and tag.. But all of that changed one after. One day Mawien was in the house and heard gunshots outside. The shots rang from different directions, piercing through different parts of his home. Looking out the back window, he climbed out the window. Mawien ran and ran and ran into the bush until he could no more. He caught up to his friends, other kids from his village, but everyone did not make it. As the boys caught their breaths they organized into a group and started walking.

Mawien didn't know where he was walking to, so he asked a boy named “Jamal”. They walked exactly 18 miles toward the Nile River. Mawien sat at the riverbank, tired, and dirty. He worked day and night to build boats to cross the river. There were approximately 1250 boys, so they built 625 boats. They encountered some fishermen and the fishermen gave them food and water. Mawien slept next to Jamal and asked him a question that had been on his mind, “where is your family?” Jamal responded,“They are at a place called Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.” As they went to bed Mawien thought about where his family was and if they were safe. “Where is my family? Did they make it to a camp? I miss them,” he thought before closing his eyes.

When they woke up, they began walking again. As they left, they got their last batch of food and water from the fishermen. Ahead of them was a challenge like none before. They will walk for three days to cross the Akobo desert. When they first stepped onto the desert, it was scorching hot. Mawien’s water bowl was almost out so he takes a little at a time. 1 day later when they were halfway through the desert, they encountered nuer soldiers. The men gathered everyone and began screaming commands,“Everyone down now! Give me all your stuff!!!!!” All the lost boys gave them their stuff and some people gave them their clothes. At one point, one of the tribesmen shot an 18 year old, an uncle, and a 6 year old because he hurt and stabbed one of the tribesmen. The tribesmen disappeared as quickly as they appeared and the group continued to walk. Finally they made it across the scorching 120 degrees Akobo desert. The group still had 12 miles to cross Kenya, so they decided to get some rest.

When they got up, they encountered another group approaching them. We huddled around each other prepared to fight, but this group was different from the UN. They said that they would help them get to the safety of the camp in Kenya so they began to walk and as they were walking, they supplied them with food and water. Mawien was surprised at how the UN found them. So he asked them a simple question. “How did you find us?????” They said, “Long story kid.” They walked and walked and walked until they finally reached the Kenya border. So the group decided to stop and rest for 3 hours. The UN supplied them with comfortable beds and food before they went to sleep.

The most intense part happened when Mawien was walking. The UN said they have to leave. The troops are coming. Suddenly, government troops stopped them, pointed their guns at them. They told them to walk the other way. Mawien knew the government wanted them to return back to Sudan. The government wanted them to cross the Gilo River into Sudan. They wanted this so they can help them carry loads of weapons. They also helped them fight in the war. Finally, a few minutes later they encountered the Gilo River. Soldiers forced thousands of boys to jump in the river; many died by crocodiles. Some were swept away by the strong, fast current. Mawien quickly jumped in the water to avoid being shot. He managed to swim across the river; but his leg was injured by a crocodile bite. Once again, the remaining lost boys organized a group and they continued to walk.

The UN came back to the boys when it was safe, and guided them the rest of the way. A few hours later they finally reached Kakuma Refugee camp. Life there was harsh. People that lived there first treated Mawien like trash. Food there was limited, and the water filter was dirty. A few years later, The UN came with more food and more water.

In 2003, The lost boys were promoted to go to the United States. Mawien was sent to DC. When he got there, He loved America. He was treated like a prince, got a job, and had a girlfriend. Life was perfect. Here he reflected on what happened back in Sudan. A few months later, Someone set up a reunion for all the lost boys. He still misses his family.