Seeking Heaven

The Lost Boys, directed by Megan Mylan, documents the phenomenal journey of Peter Dut, and Santino Chour, as they begin their new lives in America. Peter and Santino are two of the many Sudanese people, whose lives were ruined due to the civil wars of North and South Sudan. When Sudan was governed by the British Empire, North and South Sudan were ruled as separate regions. In 1953 Sudan was granted independence, however, North Sudan received more power than South Sudan, and failed to follow through with their promise to allow South Sudan to be self governed. The first civil war, that lasted from 1953-1972 breaks out due to the uprising tension, and results in the death of 500,000 people, and the force migration of hundreds of thousands.

Among those who were killed and forced to migrate was the Dinka tribe, located in Southern Sudan, scattered along the Nile River. Peter recalls that one ordinary night, his family was gathered around a fire listening to his grandmother’s stories, until North Sudan invaders came shooting at them. Everyone ran for their lives, but only a few thousands survived. Majority of the survivors were boys and orphaned, Peter was only four. Him, and the others who escaped had to endure a months of wandering without the promise of safety. Many could not survive under the harsh conditions of heat, wild animals, diseases and starvation. Everyday many would fall and never get back up, and during the night wild animals ate others. When the lost boys had reached Ethopia they found sanctuary at camps in Panyido and Dimma. However, in 1991, the Ethiopian dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam, forced all 250,000 southern Sudanese refugees to evacuate. The Ethiopian government did not want to deal with the refugees problems for they claimed they had enough problems to deal with. The Lost Boys were forced to escape through crossing the Gilo River, which divided Ethiopia and Sudan. The waters were rough, filled with crocodiles, and guns from Ethiopian and Sudanese soldiers on both sides of the river were aimed at them. The fortunate who survived recall the scene as the most horrible thing they've ever scene. Finally the lost boys reached northwesten Kenya and settled in a refugee camp in Kakuma where they were educated and fed. When their story reached the United States, America began a program that would migrate the Lost Boys to America.

Peter is among the 4,000 Sudanese refugees who have resettled in America. Before he migrated to America he knew almost nothing about the western world and expected it to be ‘heaven on earth.’ When he arrives he is faced with countless problems such as learning about the American culture, stereotypes, technology, jobs, crime, money, education, and Peter realizes that there is no such thing as a heaven on Earth. Peter lives in Houston with the refugees he migrated to America with for the first months. In Houston he is overwhelmed with stress. He is trying to start a new life in America and at the same time help those back in Sudan with a minimum wage salary. His sister complains that he is not calling or sending enough money, when he is truly trying his best to provide for himself and those back in Sudan. Not only that, he has to overcome the language barrier, and accustom himself to technology he never imagined existed.

After a few months Peter decides to leave his ‘brothers’ in Houston to drive to Kansas to receive an education. He amazes everyone when he uses his time efficiently to balance his school, job, housework and homework. He exceeds expectations when he receives grades that will allow him to take a four-year college course. Although Peter has adapted well to America he is still continually faced with prejudice. Many look at him and assume that because he is black he is lazy, violent and dumb. Before seeing Peter’s grades his counselor assumed he would be going to community college. Peter’s boss forces the Africans to work out in the heat for he presumes because Africa is hot they are accustomed to working in the heat. However, Peter remains persistent and defies the stereotypes. He makes friends, doesn’t get involved with crime, and is always hardworking. Peter and his two cousins have established an education fund to raise money to construct a new school near his home village. Peter also hopes to bring several family members to the United States to live. He is determined to start a new life for himself in America, and help love ones back home to begin a new life as well.