Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD – Chris Koor Garang was seven years old when he fled from his village in the Akon area of South Sudan in 1988 during an attack by government-backed militia. After wandering through Africa for four years and then growing up without family in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, he came to the United States in 2001 as one of the 4,000 “Lost Boys of Sudan.”
This weekend Garang met with Clinton School students and described his experiences including his return to Sudan where he was reunited with his parents whom he believed were dead. Now a licensed practical nurse, Garang is living in Tucson, AZ and works with others to bring medical supplies and mosquito nets to Sudan. He hopes someday to help open a medical clinic there.
Garang is in Little Rock to participate in the 50th anniversary commemoration of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.
Since Clinton School students have worked in the Sudan and other African countries on their international public service projects, Garang’s presentation was of personal interest and significance.
We were honored to have him with us.
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