Weary Feet & Hopeful Eyes

What it means to be young in South Sudan Today?
February 2005. Under one of those mighty mango trees that dot the plains of South Sudan I sat.  Waiting for a mango to fall.  No one is allowed to pluck mangoes from the tree; you may only pick the mangoes that fall.  No, I was waiting for the boys who were working at the nearby construction site to come back after their long lunch break.  I wanted to pick a conversation with one or two of them, or if they did not know English, at least to say Cibaak! – that’s the local greeting.  I have noticed that the boys of Rumbek relate to strangers very easily.  So, language is no problem.
Then came my friend James Malouk.  This was our second day of conversation.  He wore a broad smile as usual.  The Dinkas value white teeth, I came to learn.  Most […]

Continue reading