Founder, James Mabior

Although the world refers to me as A Lost Boy, my friends call me James. I would like people to know that I am not lost; my legs run fast although I admit there were times I was unsure where they wanted to lead me. I would like to recount some parts of my journey so you know why I am doing this work. This is the true story I can tell you.

My name is James Mabior. I was born on January 1st 1981 in Werkok in Bortown, Jonglei State, Southern Sudan. I am a son of Mabior Garang Jongbior and Abuol Ajiith Lual. My father was a farmer and leader in my sub-clan call Pakuei, known throughout Werkok as “Ran de kac de Piou” which means in English a man of mercy. This means that he took care of people, although the world did not take care of him or the people in my village.
The War broke out on May 16th, 1983 as a result of the Muslim-led government in the north forcing the teachings of Islam on Christians in the south. As a result of the compulsory Islamization, many schools were closed and some were burned by Arabs Militias. When the Shari law was implemented in 1984 those in opposition rebelled, calling themselves the People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).

I did not fully understand what was going on when men came into my village and began killing People. More houses were burned and many people died. We all started running away and I was separated from my parents. I joined a group of others like me who would also be known as Lost Boys trying to escape from the guns. I can remember the guns firing at me and others, and running but not knowing where I was going. At the age of 6, I can remember trying to force my legs, but there was no energy at all. My uncle took care of me because I was so young.

In 1987, We ran to Ethiopia, travelling for many days without food, depending on leaves or fruit and water to survive. Many were attacked by wild animals and some were died due on thirsty. We arrived at a refugee camp in Ethiopia, staying for as long as politics and destruction allowed. The Soviet-backed Marxist government, People’s Democratic Liberation of Ethiopia, (known as the Dergue) led by Haile Mengistu Mariam, stopped communication with the West while torturing and killing any opponents to their rule. Under his rule, one million people died due to famine. In 1991 the war broke out and the All refugees were forced to leave Ethiopia.

From Ethiopia some traveled back to Sudan, but most died as a result of gunshot, drowning and starvation. I remember the River Kilo, very fast and deep, about 200 meters wide. I don’t know how I managed to cross the Kilo, only 300 of the original 8,000 remained alive. Those who could swim helped those who could not, but the river was strong and too many had never been in water.

In Pochela, Sudan at a refugee camp food was air dropped but we remained starving because the food wasn’t enough before it could reach the next months. It continued to be brought by helicopter, but it wasn’t enough at all. In 1993 the Sudanese government recaptured Pochela from SPLA control and we again had to relocate this time to Narus, Sudan close to the Kenyan border. Soon after, Narus was recaptured by the government also.

From Sudan we journeyed one week to Lociochiggio, Kenya and after one month we went to the Kakuma Refugee camp. I spent nine years in Kenya. Despite suffering through dust and drought, hostility from the Trukana people, more food looting and still being accessible to terrorists, I managed to receive an education and live.

Coming to the United States

The United States of America finally decided to take young men out of Kenya to a place where we could study and lead safe and productive lives. I first arrived in South Dakota at the age of eighteen years in the winter of 2001. When the plane landed, I came out and I saw snow on the ground. I felt like I was freezing to death and I said “Oh God I am going to die". The Lutheran Social Services people met me and they said, “You are not going to die, James. We will take care of you so relax, do not worry you will be fine.” Then they gave me a jacket to wear and to keep me warm out of the cold. From there, the Lutheran Social Services people brought me home and showed me everything: how to cook, and how to do the laundry, and how to shovel the snow.

The next week, my friends and I went to church for the first time. Then we met with Rhonda Morse and her husband Peter and other church member friends. Rhonda was the church secretary and she helped me cerebrate with my birth day like my mother would do for me. She was a wonderful lady.

Two days later, I met with Mom Dee and her husband Clarence. They were nice to me and Mom Dee took my clothes to the laundry whether I wanted it or not, and sometime she brought me breakfast in the morning. I thanked her very much because she did wonderful things for me and I remember her kindness. She was like my mother. She came to check me to make sure that I am doing fine and gave me something to eat too. Her husband Clarence taught me how to drive a car for two weeks and the following week I got my driver’s license.
One day later, I met with my mentor Grant and his wife Lesley. Grant was a nice person; he came to my apartment to see me whether I was fine or not; and every week he did the same thing to make sure that everything was alright to me. Sometimes he took me to his house to spend weekend with him and wife Lesley. Grant and his Lesley came to my high school graduation day. They drove from South Dakota for two days to Vermont.

I left South Dakota because I couldn’t go to high school there and I decide to come to Vermont to where my friends were going to high school. I called my friends to find out that if I could come and go to high school, and they told me if you come here, you will definitely go to high school in Vermont.

When I arrived in Vermont, I found Abraham Malual, Abraham Awuolic, Santino Aliet and Debby Galibrath and her husband Peter waiting for me in the airport. I came to where they waiting for me and they gave me warm greetings, warm wishes, and wished me good luck for being here in Vermont. They helped me with my luggage, and then they took me home.
Debby Galibrath was a good person. She helped me when I needed it, she gave rides to where I wanted to go, and she became a good friend of Sudanese students as well as their mother. Another is Debby Newhall, Linda Morrell, and Anne Buell were very supportive and they were like my mother who taking care of her children, and I really was very thankful to them.

I went to St.Andrew Church in Colchester to joint prayer with people and until I became a church member, tried to learn to know people’s names. Recently, I got my Eucharistic Minister license form Bishop Tom Ely and now I am under deacon and pastor in the church and of which, is authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. I have met with the church outreach committed for the needs of WYDA and they become very supportive of development that will give awareness to the church and the community of Christ. Inga Schaefer is a chairperson of the church outreach committed. She was very committed to support WYDA‘s mission. Mary Lou Ashton, Kit Cook, and Susan Ainsworth Daniels are WYDA advisory board members. Now they are working very hard to support WYDA’s mission and I am very thankful for what they are doing.

When I came to Vermont, I found out that I could definitely go to high school. When it was time to go to School I went to the inerview with Debby Galibrath and registered for my classes. The following day I started my classes. I had very good councilor named Wendy and all the students liked her so much. I also had a very good teacher called Mr. Van Kleek and he was my American history and senior seminar teacher. He became my favorite teacher. Mrs. Robinson was my English teacher, and now she is making a network of people or organizations to learn about WYDA mission and explaining how they can bring support to raise awareness world wide about WYDA’s mission.

When I was in Colchester High School, I was full time student and full time job. It was very hard for me to study and one day I sat outside behind my apartment and said if I do not go to school, I will have no life in the future, but if I do not go to work, I will have no money to pay for my rent, bills, and to support my mother and relatives who are in Sudan. It seemed hopeless, but I encouraged myself to become a strong person so that I will be able to do what I can do for my life. A strong heart and having hope make a person to be strong. I committed myself for many years until I graduated with a good morale, happiness and excitement because no one in my family has a high school diploma. High school diploma is very important and it can open the way to higher level of study/ college. From High school I went on to study Business at Johnson State College where I am in my senior year and look forward to someday graduating.