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In 2001, 150 young Sudanese men, refugees from one of the longest conflicts in Africa were resettled in the Atlanta area. These young men had endured much when they were small boys, fleeing from marauding militia, separation from their families, starvation, disease, and attacks from wild animals on their journey of suffering. This journey took them from Sudan, to Ethiopia, back to Sudan and then finally to a refugee camp in Kenya. Many believed their families were dead. When the young men began to arrive in Atlanta, St. James responded to the call for help. Initially we worked with six young men in the same apartment. We tutored them for the GED, parishioners gave clothing and household goods for their apartment, World Missions Council sent money to a boarding school in Uganda for the younger brother one of the Atlanta Lost Boys, we gave them Christmas presents, and the larger Lost Boy community shared their music with us during one of our services.
As the young men in the apartment began to build their lives, St James became more involved with one particular young man, Peter Manyang. We tutored Peter for a year and he passed his GED exam. He attended Georgia Perimeter College on a Lost Boys Foundation scholarship. We have supported his brother, Moses Manyang, at Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya. We initially paid his tuition for his first year of studies, and then he was able to secure a work study grant for the rest of his education. WMC continues to send money for his books and health fees. He is expecting to graduate in December, 2006. His plan is to work to help rebuild Southern Sudan.
Through the efforts of a former St James parishioner and admissions director, Peter and two other Sudanese young men were admitted to the University of the South and are receiving grants to cover the costs. The grants and small loans they have had to take cover most of the tuition, and room and board at Sewanee. The Sewanee community has helped them financially, but there is always a shortfall. St. James continues to help Peter by sending him money for his books and health care fees. He is doing well and expects to graduate in April of 2008. His plan is to pursue medicine.
Contact Del Halstead-Hussloch through the church office
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Outreach to Community and World