Sudanese refugee to speak at SCSU about experience, turmoil, war

By David Unze
[email protected]

A Sudanese orphan who fled his village at age 10 and has spoken widely about the suffering in his native country is coming to St. Cloud State University.

Gabriel Bol Deng will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ritsche Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, although the university is encouraging people to get tickets beforehand to assure a seat.

Deng's appearance is sponsored by the University Program Board, and his speech is called "Power of Hope."

Deng fled Ariang at age 10 when North Sudan Arab militiamen attacked his village.

He reached Ethiopia, where he learned English at a refugee camp. Violence in Ethiopia forced him to leave again, and he stopped in Kenya, where his education continued at a refugee camp. In 2000, he was able to join a refugee resettlement program in the United States.

Deng has founded Helping Offer Primary Education for Sudan. HOPE for Sudan is a nonprofit group dedicated to providing educational opportunities and health services for the Sudanese who have been affected by the continuing crises in the country.

Deng has spoken at more than 200 venues about his life and the crises in Sudan.

His lectures touch on the American immigrant experience, the ongoing political turmoil in Sudan, the situation in Darfur and its connections to South Sudan, and the impact of war on children.

For information about tickets, call Melissa Kloss at 308-2205 or e-mail [email protected].