WHO IS Francis Deng?
Francis Deng shares his unique life journey to inspire and uplift others. He is the author of A Child Escapes: a boy soldier’s journey from civil war to civic pride book, published by Make Books Australia. The book is a chronicle narration of his life journey and experiences: childhood life in his village, forceful removal from his family by rebels, to living in a rebel-controlled camp and spending fifteen years seeking refuge before Australia granted him permanent humanitarian settlement.
In his adopted country, Francis embraced education opportunities the nation offers, and which he had longed for. He went on to complete a commerce degree which earned him a banking career.
Over the years, Francis has inspired and encouraged others that however challenging a situation might be, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. He believes each human being possesses within themselves a spirit of resilience, perseverance, persistence and optimism.
Francis spent his early childhood in a rural village, Southern Sudan, a few miles from the River Nile. His community livelihood was based on subsistent farming, cattle keeping and livestock rearing. In early childhood, his family responsibility was tending goats and sheep and herding cows. Schooling was non-existent thanked to the protracted Sudanese civil war.
Violence was sweeping across the country and villages. Rebels attacked village towns and Sudanese armed forces fought them back. Government troops arbitrarily arrested and tortured civilians. They accused them of being rebel supporters. Rebels on the other hand recruited village men and boys to join their rank and file. Village life was turned upside down.
The rebels forcefully removed Francis and thousands of boys around his age from their families and matched them across the border to Ethiopia. They walked by night and sheltered under trees during the day. They arrived at Pinyudu, a rebel-controlled camp, but hope became despair. They faced life-consuming horrors: disease, hunger, mental illness, loneliness. Death fell and raged. Fortunately, the United Nations came to their rescue and living conditions changed for the better.
Hardly four years in the camp and Ethiopian political upheaval began and spread. The government of the time was toppled. Refugees fled for their lives in relentless heavy rains. Hundreds of refugees died crossing a crocodile-infested river.
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Now inside Southern Sudan, the rebels conscripted boys they deemed old enough to join their rank and file. They spent several months escaping enemy’s jaws. Pushed to the border and having nowhere else to go, they crossed the border into North West Kenya and UNHCR came to their rescue. They were then transported on trucks to Kakuma refugee camp, hundred kilometres away from the border.
Despite constant heat waves combined with poor living conditions, Kakuma was haven as compared to the horrors of Ethiopia and Southern Sudan. The United Nations built schools and Francis embraced the opportunity.
Francis shares his story because he can inspire you that humanity is capable of overcoming many life-threatening challenges. By observing these key messages, much human suffering can be reduced:
Tribalism is dangerous – this is what caused civil war in Sudan and continues to drive pain and suffering around the world today.
Our shared humanity is powerful – the kindness of countries like Australia and those people I have met saved my life and gave me hope.
The power of learning – suffering can teach us so much but only if we allow it to do so. Education can lift us all.
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