New Teeth for a New Life: Helping "The Lost Boys" of Sudan

Early Monday morning four friends journeyed from southern Virginia to Dr. Gaskin’s office in Moyock, North Carolina. But his day trip was nothing like the journey’s they had endured together already in their relatively short lives. Abraham, David, James and Samuel are 4 of the 3,800 “Lost Boys of Sudan” that came to USA in 2001.

Fitting in here is a lot different than in Africa
In Sudan tribal groups distinguish themselves in a variety of ways. The Dinka people pull out 5 or 6 bottom teeth as soon as a child’s adult set comes in. Abraham, David, James and Samuel are from the Dinka tribe – they are each missing their front six bottom teeth. They remember that boys weren’t men if they cried during the tooth pulling ceremony. But now they are in a different culture. It is difficult for them to eat American food without their bottom teeth. The gap also makes it hard for them to speak English understandably.

We recently discovered their need and realized they needed new teeth to succeed in their new life here. With some research, persistence and the help of caring dentists we were able to get each boy a set of partial dentures specially designed for them!

Monday morning each boy had an impression made of their lower and upper teeth. While we took them to lunch, Dr. Gaskin’s office made a partial set of dentures for each. In the afternoon, the guys went back for their fitting. When they looked in the mirror is was hard for them to believe! Samuel said, “I really thank God. I want to thank you Operation Blessing. I’m really happy. It’s wonderful.”

Young Wanderers
All four stand at least 6’ tall. The determination and grace with which they carry themselves belies the hardship they have endured. But their eyes tell of a horrific journey that began in the late 1980’s.

Abraham, David, James and Samuel fled, with about 12,000 other young boys, from a 40-year civil war that tore at the seams of Africa’s largest country. Many saw family members killed and sisters kidnapped. A few, like Abraham, escaped with their entire family. All walked hundreds of miles to reach safety in Ethiopia. Abraham met James and his brother there.

Samuel and his two brothers were also in the exodus. He remembers leaving his hometown of Rumbek and living in Ethiopia from 1987-1991. Less than 10 years old, David recalls riding on the shoulders of a distant cousin when he was too tired to take one more step.

Their refuge in Ethiopia was short-lived. The youngsters had to flee again when civil war broke out in Ethiopia too. Still unwelcome in Sudan, they trekked to Kenya; facing dangerous terrain, wild animal attacks, starvation and little water. Those who survived existed in a refugee camp for another 7 to 8 years.

A Promising Life
In 2001, the U.N. refugee agency and the U.S. State Department invited 3,800 of the boys to resettle in the United States! Upon their arrival, the lost boys were taught basics like how to get a job, work a light switch, take out the garbage, and rent an apartment.

Now two-and-a-half years later and in their late early twenties, Abraham, David, James and Samuel all are working hard to build a new life for themselves. They have jobs painting houses, working at a mattress factory and hospital cafeteria as well as doing plumbing. They are bright young men who speak 4 languages: their tribal dialect, Arabic, Swahili and English. Abraham, David and Samuel attend college. Abraham’s dream is to become a teacher.

Even though these young men have newfound peace and opportunity, some of their family remains in Kenya or has resettled in Sudan since the cease-fire agreement in 2002-2003. James’ brother is one. It’s hard for James to call his brother in Kenya when he can’t tell him there is money coming in the mail for him. So he works hard to support the family left behind. Devoted to succeeding James shares, “You can’t plow with one hand. You have to overcome your circumstances.”

Three more of the “Lost Boys” will also receive partial dentures within the next few weeks. And it’s caring and faithful people like you that help make it possible!

Every day we find people like Abraham, James, Samuel and David who desperately need a caring hand to bring healing into their lives. Please join us – many more are waiting!