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What is the What Brings Plight of "Lost Boys" to Ohio State First-Year Students
Deng was part of the "Lost Boys of Sudan" program that brought rescued boys to the United States. Deng said that he and his friends from the program feel a strong sense of duty to bring their knowledge back to the Sudan. "Our experience means we have to make something of that," said Deng.
Eggers prompted Deng with questions about his harrowing journey from his hometown of Marail Bai, after it was destroyed by invading Arab Militia, to an Ethopian refugee campus, his subsequent voyage to America, and his current efforts to bring education and community services to his hometown, where citizens continue to struggle to rebuild after the destruction of the 1980s and 90s. Deng has made it his mission to tell others about the plight of his people.
"I'm glad that the university helped me spread the word in that way," said Deng. "And those of you who read the book are part of my team to spread the word."
Spreading the word has become increasingly important in recent times. "When we started the book in earnest in 2003, we thought we were writing a book about the past," Eggers said. What is the What has become, unfortunately, very timely, as violence has erupted in Darfur. "We are the voice of the Darfur people. We will speak to America," Deng said. "We will speak to people who will be part of the committee to stop the conflict in Darfur."
In one of Deng's recent visits to Sudan, he saw his parents for the first time in sixteen years. "I could hardly recognize them," he said. He realized that despite his chaotic and dangerous childhood, it was much worse for those who couldn't leave the country. "I was not one who suffered much in the war," he said. The majority of the proceeds of What is the What go toward Deng's plans for secondary education and community resource centers so desperately needed in the area. For Deng, education equals hope and hope is essential to the rebuilding process. "I say no matter what happens it's the hope that sustains people."
The Colleges of the Arts and Sciences Buckeye Book Community program is sponsored by First Year Experience, and coordinated by Michelle Herman, professor of Creative Writing, who chose What is the What as this year's BBC book selection.
