A Journey to Freedom- A Lost Boy of Sudan shares his story of survival

April 24, 10am - 11am and 11:15am-12:15pm

In honor of Passover, Temple Sholom presents "A Journey to Freedom" where Deng Jongkuch, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, speaks about his courageous story of survival. In 1987, at the age of 5, Deng escaped from his village in Southern Sudan while it was under attack by government soldiers. Without his parents, Deng joined 30,000 other Lost Boys of Sudan and survived a year-long, grueling 1000 mile walk to Kenya and 14 years in refugee camps. In 2001, Deng was selected with 3,800 other Lost Boys to come to the U.S. He worked full time, went to school, and graduated from San Jose State University in 2008. Deng returned to his village in 2005 and was joyfully reunited with his parents but was dismayed to see his village in poor condition, without a school or clean water. Deng is passionately committed to helping rebuild his village and others in Sudan and gives frequent talks at schools and places of worship. Deng helped found ImpactAVillage, a California-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to improve education in Southern Sudan. In the summer of 2009, ImpactAVillage provided funds to direct the building of a schoolhouse in the village of Malek, Southern Sudan. The primary school is now complete and seats 300 children. Donations are currently being collected for funding teachers at the new school. This event is free of charge and open to the public. School age children and adults are welcome.