Press
Lost Boy: ‘Make sure you don’t give up’
10/19/2007
During his escape from wartorn southern Sudan as a young boy, John Dau drank urine, ate grasshoppers and dodged lions and government-backed militias. More recently, the 33-year-old could be found cavorting with Brad Pitt at red-carpet events -- and effortlessly stealing the spotlight from the movie star.
Dau was one of three so-called Lost Boys whose new lives as refugees in America became raw material for the documentary “God Grew Tired of Us,” produced by Pitt and narrated by Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman. Dau has translated the success of the film into a singleminded quest to help his home country. He raised money for a health clinic in southern Sudan and started a nonprofit that helps Sudanese refugees work through the lingering trauma of war.
Dau arrives in Fargo today to help out his friend and fellow Lost Boy, Akol Joseph Makeer, a North Dakota State University student and the subject of an upcoming locally produced documentary. On Sunday, the Fargo Theatre screens “God Grew Tired of Us” and a preview of the new documentary, “African Soul, American Heart,” in a bid to raise funds for the project. Dau spoke with The Forum from his home in Syracuse, N.Y., about unwittingly signing up to star in a documentary that transformed his life.
Forum: You met the filmmakers in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, as you were about to embark on your journey to America. Why did you agree to let them capture the following years of your life on film?
Dau: In Kakuma, when the Americans wanted to let the people who had been scheduled to come to the United States know, they put a piece of paper on a name board. I went there to see if I could find my name. I saw my name and that I was going to Syracuse. I was very happy, and as I looked around, I saw some guys carrying big machines I later found out were cameras. At that time, I didn’t know what journalism is, so I thought maybe these guys were sent by the United States government. So I went to one who seemed to be their leader, who was (“God Grew Tired of Us” director) Christopher Quinn, and I asked him: “I am happy that I am coming to America. But what about the other Lost Boys who are remaining? Can you bring them to the United States also? We all went through the same thing.” He said, “OK, when I get to America. I will talk to my government.” I guess he was lying to me. I turned to go, and he said, “Well, can you answer my two questions.” I answered his two questions and since then, I never got rid of him.
So it wasn’t until you came to America that you understood what you were getting into?
I asked Christopher and the others who were coming to film why they were doing this, and they said they were going to show it to people so they would know the problem. I said, “OK, if that’s the case, I don’t care about my privacy -- if that’s going to help my people back in Africa.”
The project ended up winning top honors at the Sundance Film Festival. What did you make of movie’s success?
I was surprised at seeing celebrities throwing their weight behind this. Why? Because war in our country between the North and South was a forgotten war. People weren’t part of it. They didn’t want to stop the war. That was my interpretation. When I see celebrities supporting this, what comes to mind is that maybe they were not aware of what was going on in Africa. Now I know they care. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt gave $100,000 for my clinic.
The clinic in your home place in Sudan has been up and running since May. How much of a difference will it make to the local community?
There’s never been a medical facility there before. It was either God help you or you die. The clinic is treating all kinds of diseases including malaria, cholera, typhoid, measles, whooping cough, chicken pox. Also, 50 expecting women are receiving prenatal care there. Fifteen children were born there already. These 15 children were the first in the county that had their birthday taken down when they were born. All the 5,000 Lost Boys and Lost Girls who came to America never knew when they were born. Most of us here had our birthday given to us by the United States government. For all of us, it’s Jan. 1. The clinic is not only treating diseases but it’s also giving people dignity to celebrate their birthdays.
You’ll be in Fargo to promote a documentary about your friend Akol Joseph Makeer, who wants to harness the publicity to build an orphanage in Sudan. What advice do you have for him?
Akol is a distant cousin and a friend, and I want him to succeed. My advice is that always, always, always, when you do anything, know that there will be struggle. If you can’t see far, then you’re going to fall short on your goal. The key to your success always is struggle, persevering, not giving up. My advice to him is, make sure you struggle. Make sure you don’t give up. Make sure you stay the course.
Article provided by The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.
Author: Mila Koumpilova mkoumpilova@forumcomm.com
