'I can face whatever comes next'

Sudan | The journey of a Lost Boy from Ethiopia to Fargo | Akol Maker

The first time John Garang visited Lost Boys was in Finyido refugee camp in Ethiopia in 1988, wrote Akol Maker after Mr. Garang's July 30 death. He addressed 16,000 Lost Boys, encouraging them not to join the rebels but rather go to school. Here are his notes:

He said he would not be able to make the tough decisions of liberation if he never went to school. Lack of education is darker than the night, he added. Since you managed to escape Sudan and the UN is helping you go to school, take the paper and pen and I will take gun to fight, Mr. Garang said. Lastly, he mentioned Christianity is more powerful than important statements he had just said. He said, Pray before doing anything and God will be with you. He said, Christianity is our foundation, and he encouraged Lost Boys to take a Christian name as their first name, which Lost Boys did.