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SUDANESE STUDENTS
Gaining a second chance in life
through education
BACKGROUND
The country of Sudan has suffered under the violence
of war for many years. It is estimated that over 2 million
people have died, and 4 million people have been
displaced in the last 20 years. Because of the war,
thousands of children have been used to fight on the frontlines. Other children have beenused as porters, spies, guards, and cooks. Through fighting and exposure to the war children have lost their childhood. The Co-Presidents of Refuge and Hope International worked in Sudan in a rehabilitation project of former child soldiers in 2001. Many of these children were returned and united with their families. However, some were unable to reunite with their families and were not placed in a stable environment. In 2003, nine of these young men were able to leave Sudan and fly to Kenya, a peaceful country, where they could attend a Christian school. The former Olympic athlete and gold medalist, Kip Keino, graciously allowed the nine guys to come and live with him on his farm. Today, these young men are continuing their education in Kenya and Uganda, and they look forward to the day when they can return home to help Sudan rebuild after so many years of war.
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
Since 2004 Refuge and Hope has been providing school fees and housing for these young men. This project hopes to continue with this support until they have finished their education. Funding for the project will cover a majority of their expenses, which include school fees and supplies, uniforms, clothes, medical expenses, toiletries, and other miscellaneous items. It also covers the expenses of a caregiver.
*Sponsorship of an individual student’s school fees is possible at approximately $75 a month.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Each of these young men hopes to return to Sudan after they finish their education. They hope to find and help their families as well as their country.
GET INVOLVED
For more information on how to participate in this project please contact us or make your tax-deductible donation here.
GET TO KNOW THE GUYS
When these guys are all together there is a
constant sound of talking and laughter in the
air. They love to play dominos—a Sudanese
version with much animated shouting and
laughing. They also like to listen to music
and tell stories. They all have witnessed and
experienced very intense and traumatic
events during their lives, but have an amazing
resilience and ability to laugh and enjoy life.
These are young men with the potential to make
a difference in their communities and in the world.
Saudi
Saudi is in his 20s and is a Muslim. He is very smart and responsible. He is also a very good runner. His father recently passed away, but his mother and siblings are still living in Sudan and he has been in contact with them. He is doing very well in school, but is homesick. Saudi has great ambitions to go back to Sudan to help his people as a leader. He is extremely focused and conscientious and asks questions constantly.
Pray Ephesians 1:18 for Saudi. “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…”
Birthday: October 10
*Each of these young men has granted permission for his story and image to be shared.
Mubarak
Mubarak is in his 20s. He is very serious and puts in great effort studying. He is now in Form 3 (11th grade) at Lion’s School in Eldoret, Kenya and is doing well. He spent several years in active military duty as a young teenager. He has had an ear operation due to shrapnel from a land mine and still seems to have a few problems with his hearing in that ear. He is a kind and gentle person and would like to return home and be a teacher one day.
Pray Proverbs 8:17 for him today, “I love those who love me and those who seek me find me.” Pray for him to love God and to seek God. Pray for him to understand clearly what is being taught in school so he can move ahead.
Birthday: December 7
Barakat
Barakat is in his 20s. He is in S1 (grade 8) at Emma High School in Kampala, Uganda. Barakat was very young when he entered the rebel army and was even an officer at a young age. He recently was reconnected with his family by phone in Sudan. It has been 15 years since he has seen them. He is struggling with homesickness and struggling academically as a result.
Pray for him Deuteronomy 4:29, “from there you will seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Pray for Barakat to truly seek and find God.
Birthday: July 6
Jacob
Jacob is about 20 years old and he is Catholic by background. Jacob is very talkative and has an outgoing personality. He became a soldier when he was very young and has had a very difficult life. He has studied up to Form 3 (grade 11) at Emmanuel Complex Christian School in Eldoret, Kenya, and has performed very well academically. In 2009, Jacob decided that he needed to return to Sudan and has gone back to his home and found his family there. We still keep in touch with Jacob and ask that you continue to pray for him.
Pray that he may be burdened for his own people and be a person filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray Isaiah 42:1-7 for him.
Birthday: December 23
Abdul (Abdul Haleem)
Abdul is about 20 years old and is extremely outgoing and talkative. He speaks Arabic, English and Swahili well but has struggled with academics. He became a soldier when he was just 10 years old. His mother died several years ago and before 2009 he hadn’t seen his father for over 10 years. Abdul has studied up to Form 3 (grade 11) at Lion’s School in Eldoret, Kenya, but during a visit home to Sudan in 2009 he decided he needed to stay and care for his younger brothers. We still keep in touch with Abdul and ask that you continue to pray for him.
Pray Acts 2:39 for him… “the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Birthday: November 15
Abraham (Raheem)
Abraham is about 20 and is a Muslim by background. He is from the Funj tribe in the Southern Blue Nile region of Sudan. He just recently was reconnected with his family in Sudan (by phone) and discovered that his mother is still living. He became a soldier and left home at a very young age and has not seen his family in over 10 years. He is in S1 (like 8th grade) at Seroma High School in Uganda. He is a great athlete with a huge smile. He is very considerate and thoughtful. He has greatly improved in his English.
Pray James 4:8 for him, “come near to God and he will come near to you.” Pray that he will draw close to God.
Birthday: April 25 will call.”
Birthday: November 15
Al Jehli
Al Jehli is now in his 20s and is a Muslim. He became a soldier when he was only about 12 years old. His family has suffered a great deal of loss. He has a great sense of humor, and he is doing well in school. He studies at Lion’s School in Eldoret, Kenya and is in Form 1, which is like 9th grade. When Al Jehli laughs, it is completely contagious. He likes to tell stories and always has a captive audience!
Pray Psalm 119:18 for him today “Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law.” Pray for his eyes and heart to be open.
Birthday: February 10
Lino
Lino is Taban’s older “brother,” and is from the Dinka tribe in Sudan (a tribe known for being very tall). Lino is about 16 or 17 years old. He is in the 9th grade at Heritage International School in Kampala, Uganda. Lino loves to listen to music and play soccer, volleyball and basketball. He speaks Dinka, Arabic, Swahili and English and takes French in school. He is a kind, and extremely generous person with a wonderful sense of humor.
Pray for Lino to know Romans 8:38- that NOTHING can separate him from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Pray for him to continue to do well in school.
Birthday: July 23
Taban (Angelo)
Taban is about 14 years old. His father is deceased, and his mother lives in South Sudan. Taban is in P7 (grade 7) in boarding school, at Testimony of Faith Primary School, in Eldoret Kenya. He is very bright and likes to read. He is also a good athlete. Taban speaks Dinka, Arabic, Swahili, Kalenjin, English, and is taking French in school. He is curious about life and has a desire to learn.
Pray that Taban will come to know God as the good parent who loves him and longs after him. Pray Romans 8:22-27 for him.
Birthday: December 17
