'Lost Boy' Speaks to Hop Brook Students About Escaping Conflict in Sudan
Gabriel Bol Deng discusses also how children can make a difference, and to not lose hope in adversity.
When he was 10 years old, Gabriel Bol Deng escaped his native Sudan to come to the United States.
His village was burned, his parents were killed and he trudged through adversity - walking across the Sahara and swimming across the Nile - to get to safety. Bol Deng shared pieces of his story with the students at Hop Brook Elementary School on Wednesday, tempering specific elements to fit the audience.
Bol Deng, now a resident of Syracuse, N.Y., came to the United States in 2000 as one of the "Lost Boys of Sudan." He taught in school for a period of time before going on the road full time to promote his organiztion, Hope for Ariang. The organization's focus is providing education for Sudanese children, both boys and girls. Donations to the cause go directly to construction efforts for these schools in Sudan.
Bol Deng said he first met Ryan Hendrickson when Hendrickson taught social studies in Trumbull. Now the principal of Hop Brook, Hendrickson welcomed Bol Deng to the school to speak about his life and to bring an inspirational message to the youths of hope and perserverance.
Mary Cerreta
8:59 am on Friday, April 15, 2011
This is wonderful, and sure to resonate with the youth of Naugatuck.
Paul Singley
10:49 am on Friday, April 15, 2011
I agree with my good friend, Mrs. Cerreta! Awesome job with the video, Ron, and kudos to the Naugatuck school system and Hop Brook school for putting on such an inspirational program.
Ellen DeRosa
9:00 pm on Friday, April 15, 2011
Great job, Ron. I also find that Hop Brook is blessed by having such an inspiring principal. And, by the way, your mom agrees with the interviewees: get to bed on time, Ron. Obey your mom.
Rosa Hurtado
12:45 pm on Monday, April 18, 2011
It's amazing the life's lessons our children could experience when they heard from somebody that had suffer so much enviromental violence and poverty, and had surpass all odds, gives them the inspiration to work harder and accomplish their job. Thank you Hop Brook for reinforce the empathy, care and concern that at home we try to teach them. Rosa Hurtado.
Debra Brackett
2:12 pm on Monday, April 18, 2011
Mr Hendrickson is doing a fabulous job getting our kids to think globally and bringing it back home.