After 18 years as orphans, Joseph Ayii, and Alephonsion (Alepho) Deng have learned that both of their mothers are alive in Africa.
Separated from their parents in the late 1980s, the two banned together with thousands of other children who walked hundreds of miles across southern Sudan amid chaos and war, in hopes of surviving to see their parents again.
Still carrying that hope, Joseph and Alepho prepare for yet another epic journey back to their homeland and are eager to share their courageous stories after authoring an award-winning, best-selling book, “They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky,” that is featured at this month’s Newport Nights in Ocean Beach.
October’s Newport Nights is hosted by the Primitive Kool Gallery/The Electric Chair Salon at 4944 Newport Ave., Suite A, on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Featuring the art and music of Sudanese refugees and children, the event will raise money to help Ayii and Deng reunite with their families and provide shelter and medical care for them.
“They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky” is a true story about Sudan and war as seen through the eyes of three children.
Authors Alepho Deng, Benson Deng and, Benjamin Ajak, all of whom currently live in San Diego, were raised in a close-knit community of cattle herders and tribal councils among the Dinka tribe.
The night the government-armed Murahiliin began attacking their villages, 7-year-old Benson and 5-year-old Benjamin escaped into the night, as did Alepho, age 7, two years later.
Thousands of other children joined together as refugees that became known as the Lost Boys. In “They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky,” Alepho, Benson, and Benjamin recount their experiences and recall the family, friends and tribal world they left behind.
“If you survive a holocaust, it’s hard to tell your story, to dig out the really tainted parts of your life and speak openly about them,” said Alepho Deng.
“Writing this book has helped me emotionally, mentally and physically, but I think the best reason to put down these stories is to let people know what happened and what is still happening in Sudan, to show people how it was for the lost boys and girls who endured the holocaust as small children and to let the ones who died be honored through our memories,” he said.
Less than half the lost boys survived the journey that led them to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya, where they began to learn English by writing in the sand.
Living on a half-cup of cornmeal a day, they built 19 schools and dedicated themselves to education.
In 2000 and 2001, the United States opened its door to 3,800 lost boys, resettling them as refugees on the grounds they could be persecuted in Sudan, where war has killed 2 million people since 1983.
The lost boys are making their way through everyday life in 28 states with help from a committed group of American volunteers and are still pursing what they want more than anything else “” an education.
“I am so thrilled to be a part of this and am happy that this article has come out about this event, if only to bring attention to the fact that we are still fighting the good fight to give these people some peace and hope,” said Lynne Bolton, owner of Primitive Kool Gallery.
Newport Nights, held the last Saturday of every month, began in August to showcase merchants on Newport Avenue during an evening of art, food and music. For more information, call (619) 222-0836.
Judy Bernstein, co-author of “They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky” and co-founder of the IRC Lost Boys Education Fund, said donations to the lost boys’ cause can also be made directly to The World Affairs Council of Monterey: Lost Boys Trip Fund, c/o Sari Wolfe at 27461 Schulte Road, Carmel, CA 93923-9535.
Checks should be made to WAC. All proceeds will go directly to Ayii’s and Deng’s trip back home.