In 1983, a civil war in Sudan produced a mass exodus of 20,000 children, mostly young boys. They fled on foot in small groups, walking for months while facing gunfire, wild animals and starvation, seeking refuge in Ethiopia and Kenya. They spend most of their childhood in refugee camps before resettling in the US. These survivors became known as “the lost boys of Sudan.”
Join us as we read Deng Atem’s powerful story of his life disrupted by war, restarted in the United States, and how he now helps people back home. Jumping the Ram is an inspiring read about a full circle journey in these times of upheaval and how one man can make a difference.
About the author:
Born in what is now South Sudan, Deng Mayik Atem now resides in Phoenix, Arizona. One of the first “Lost Boys of Sudan” to come to America, Deng’s journey is an extraordinary story. He has a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and an MBA from Phoenix University. He is an active member of the South Sudanese community and publishes Ramciel Magazine, whose goal is to connect those in diaspora with their homeland. He’s currently the Executive Director of South Sudan Twic Mayardit Community of Arizona. A nonprofit organization that is based in Phoenix to respond to the needs of the South Sudanese Americans in Arizona.
Deng hopes that his memoir will inspire others to push themselves when faced with adversity, to devote themselves to causes in which they believe, and to strive to make this a better world.