Lost-girlism and Lost-boyism
By Justin Machien Luoi
Jan 22, 2007 — Given the title of this article, I am sure many are wondering about so many things. Some are probably wondering about the “Lost-girlism & Lost-boyism”, meaning and the content of the article. On the other side of the pendulum, there may be those who are questioning the “ISM” of the “Lost girl & Lost boy.”
To begin with, lost-girl & boy (ism) comes from the noun lost-girl (s) & boy (s). In this case, lost girl (s) & boy (s) refer to the labels given to those Sudanese sisters and brothers who as a result of civil war in Sudan were displaced to various places in the world. Although the names apply to anyone who was displaced at younger age by the civil war, those who walked from Sudan to Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda and eventually to the USA, Canada and Australia are better known by the names.
As many my recall or know, the story of lost girls and boys of Sudan in itself is very interesting. It sometimes draws so much of attention from Sudanese nationals and internationals. Others have questioned the labels (Lost-girls & Lost-boys). The controversy surrounding the stigma Lost-girls and boys is huge that even the Lost-girls and Lost-boys can’t manage to wipe out. It is history only that will bring to the surface the truth and vague understanding of “Lost-girlism and Lost-boyism.”
This article covers my understanding of “Lost-girlism and Lost-boyism,”and for that reason it won’t help answer all questions many Sudanese may have about a Lost-girl or boy or who is a Lost-girl or Boy. What this article is concerned with is the work, struggle and involvement of the Lost-girls and Boys in getting the world and other Sudanese understand what Sudanese at home are going through plus possible ways to help solve some of them through individual participation and this is what I call, “Lost-girlism and Lost-boyism.
Just a matter of fact, the lost boys and girls stories have made popular the cause of the marginalized citizens of Sudan and to some extent, the participation of Lost girls and boys in lobbying International communities helped to bring important countries to support peace in Sudan, especially the CPA. Lost Girls and Boys reunion in Washington DC in 2002, 2003, Catholic Bishops Conference in Washington in 2003 and the Arizona in 2004 all brought much attention to the need of a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Sudan. In the US particularly an on going process of book writing to cover the lives of lost girls and boys as well as the problems facing Sudanese is taking place. Many of these books are printed internationally and widely bought by readers across the globe from Americas to Europe and even China. Some of these books are undergoing translation into other languages around the world so that non-English Speaking world citizens may also be aware of the grievances of Sudan. The latest is Valentino AChak Deng’s book titled, “What is the what?” Hollywood filmmakers have also made a film about the Lost-girls and boys of Sudan. Money made from selling the books go to supporting the lives of vulnerable Sudanese either at home (Sudan) or around the world. A film has even been made about the lost girls and boys stories. The Lost girls and boys are also involved in setting out their own Non-profit organizations that solicit money from friends to support educational projects in Sudan. For example, a lost girl & boy project in Michigan State US set out to build a hospital in Jonglei State Southern Sudan, Another from Atlanta Georgia US supports education, sports and religious institutions in Northern Bhar-el ghazel.
In addition, lost girls and lost boys have a unique culture of existence than the ordinary Sudanese. While tribalism, racism, religion and culture divide most Sudan, Lost girls and lost boys have put a lot of these differences behind them. They see themselves as Sudanese whose country’s success and plural co-existence rests on their shoulders and as a result the Lost Girls and Boys of Sudan are a “symbol of national unity and integrity.”
While many of those who don’t appreciate their struggle tell the world that Sudan is “just right,” peace, skyscrapers, tarmac roads, magnificent hospitals and highly regarded educational institutions, Lost-girls & Lost-boys of Sudan tell the truth about the conditions of their family members whom they left behind decades ago. Unlike those who leave Sudan, get refuge in developed countries and then tell the world that Sudan is ideal, the Lost- girls and boys believe that those conditions which affected them decades back are still existent in Sudan and just because one is able to watch TV, drink clean water, eat clean and enough food, sheltered from rain and snow and sleep in a mattress bed in US, Canada and Australia does not imply that those circumstances they left behind in Sudan are gone. Individual livelihood outside Sudan has changed but in Sudan those same conditions which one experienced back in Sudan are still there. One then has to choose to be quiet or raise awareness as well as doing something about how to change those circumstances and this is what the Lost-girls and boys of Sudan have done since their first exodus from Sudan began in the Late 1980s.
Hence Lost-girlism & Lost-boyism is not just a label or stigma as others would like to exert but a cause and even a belief that Sudan is not going to change without their contributions. All Sudanese around the globe should always think about who and what they left behind, create awareness and then act because a change will not take place without individual Sudanese participation. All Sudanese will not be a lost girl or boy but we will always have something we owe the nation we all love. Embrace the “Lost-girlism and Lost-boyism.”
* The author is a Sudanese residing in the US and can be reached at [email protected]