An inspiration

Have you ever met someone that you knew would change the world? Literally. Brian and I have blessed to know someone very inspirational and special whose goal in life is unmistakeably selfless...

So as you know, Brian and I attended U of A and in some of Brian's science classes he made a friend. His name is Wol. (it is pronounced like wool, seriously.) He is a Lost Boy from Southern Sudan. ("Lost boys are men who survived the war by leaving their villages as children and walking to refugee camps. Many of their parents died during the war.")

I don't know if you are familiar with world news or what is going on in other countries...but Sudan has gone through and is going through a very rough time. Located in Northeastern Africa, just South of Egypt and West of Ethiopia, it is a 3rd world country still struggling to build a foundation. There has been a lot going on there, and it is sad!! Have you ever seen Hotel Rwanda? It is such a good movie that depicts the horrors and reality of what is happening in Africa. Just like in Rwanda, Sudan had a similar genocide occur...heard of Darfur? It makes me want to cry and reach out and help those people when I think about it. Well Sudan has had similiar trouble, and more now due to its newly found oil. Some oil companies discovered the oil beginning in the 70's and since have overtaken various parts of the country. Led by the Muslim Sudanese people of Northern Sudan, they have burnt villiages to overtake the oil industry. It is a sad truth that face these helpless people. This oil has caused a civil war between the Sudanese people of the North and South. The South is where the oil is located and the north is part of an army that is trying to kill off and take over the southern land. You can read more about it here. And if you feel like watching videos on it go here, (this video gives the best description of the oil wars and what Sudan is going to face).

So back to Wol. Brian found him in some science classes at U of A and they quickly became friends, studying together and even going to some basketball games with us. He is the nicest person I have ever met  and very smart!! Let me tell you his inspiriing story... at an early age, Wol learned his country was in warfare. Living in Southern Sudan, Wol was directly in the heart of the civil war. At 6, Wol heard of a village raid and had to walk 1,000 miles to "safety" where "he endured choking thirst, aching hunger and the constant terror of ambushes". He walked all the way to Ethiopia where the nearest refugee camp was located only to go back out to Sudan and then to another refugee camp in Kenya. There he was given the opportunity to come to the United States and where his story continues. During the time of the war, many died of violent raids, villages being burned, hunger, and simple colds. With no medicine available, it was common to have babies die from diarrhea!! Wol studied science at U of A to graduate and continue his studies in order to go back to his homeland and help re-build Southern Sudan and establish peace.

Recently Sudan has been given a blessing, an opportunity for independence from Northern Sudan. When voting time came, Wol was one of the first in line to help his village and country be liberated, finally! Not having seen his family for over 6 years he made a trip back to Sudan after voting to see his family and the aftermath of the voting.

Brian and I kept a close watch on Sudan, watching the improvements from the votes and the final outcome of a liberated Southern Sudan (which will take place in July). But after months from not hearing  from Wol, we got really worried. No one could get a hold of him. I saw articles on hundreds of deaths continuing in Southern Sudan and we prayed for our friend. Finally we were able to get into contact with him, he won't be back until the end of the year or so. It was a big relief because we felt connected with Sudan and our friend. His inspiriing story...to study medicine to help his country is amazing to me. He isn't studying to support his family or build a better life for himself, but to help others, millions of his own people! I know he is going to change his country and maybe even the world because of his driven passion. He isn't mad or angry about what happened to him, but he is focusing his energy on helping his country succeed in the world. Brian and I feel so grateful to know someone like Wol! He makes us want to reach out and help ..and I know one day we will somehow. I feel so selfish when I think about my life in perspective of his, but I know Heavenly Father has a plan for me and maybe one day I can help change the world too!!




Read Wol's full story here. It is amazing and inspirational!!
There are many articles posted about him and his story.