Lost Boys Provide a Common ground for Cross-Cultural Interactions in Melbourne,
Australia.
The term ‘Lost Boys’ was coined up by humanitarian organizations
to refer to the thousands of the formerly unaccompanied minors, mainly boys
from Southern Sudan who under very difficult and harrowing circumstances, had
traveled to refugee camps in Ethiopia and subsequently to Kenya’s Kakuma
refugees camp. The flight of the now young men came into the World’s attention
in the late 1990s to early 2000s, prompting the federal government of the United
States of America to resettle the bulk of them in U.S.A.
Given that their once bleak future was now resuscitated and new energy for
brighter future reinstalled, all but the young men of Southern Sudan who spent
their teen lives in wilderness and exile have seemingly embraced the term for
their collective identity, not bad at all for a nation of children caught up
largely unaware by the then ensuing political tug of war that involved a ferocious
and bloodiest military confrontation between the Khartoum based, successive
governments of Sudan and the Southern part of the country, a badly neglected
region rich in natural resources, which is predominantly African in physical
and cultural outlook and more importantly, the ancestral home to majority of
the lost boys who are now scattered all over the World.
Members of the lost boys in Australia’s Melbourne, Victoria, held a weekend
event in which the Sudanese community and members of the wider society (Australians)
came together and enjoyed some Barbeque. Gurtong understands however, that it
was more than a barbeque, the lost boys in particular and their supporters in
general were on offensive to overcome some cross-cultural barriers, and create
a common ground where the people of different cultural, religious or ethnic
backgrounds could dialogue, interactively share ideas and experiences and of
course socialize in many ways. This was a positive step in the right direction,
given that there are emerging signs of social discomfort toward Sudanese among
some circles, because of some perceived issues of societal concern. Nevertheless,
the Australian society in general is very welcoming one and do embrace and support
initiatives of community progress; hence the lost boys in Victoria, it seem,
are stepping in to make the best out of it.
The writer understood that many people turned up for the event and there was
a cordial atmosphere all over the place. According to the leader of the Lost
Boys, Mr. Akoc Manhiem, the event was a success because apart from the general
friendly interactions and sharing, there was also some fun and story telling.
The lost boys and of course general members of the Sudanese community, revisited
their painful past through story telling. At the end of it all, there was some
paper work! Forms designed differently were distributed to be filled. The Sudanese
were asked to fill in issues they think were of concern to their community;
while the Australians filled out on how they can help addressed any issues of
concern. With all done, the Aussies in their diversity went home for rest. Many
events and activities are certainly on the way!!
Deng M. Koch for Gurtong Project in Australia
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