1E'10 is US.

Simon’s journey began when he was twelve years old, not long after the military junta took power in Sudan in a bloodless coup in1989. From 1989, real power in Sudan rested with the then Governor of Darfur, an Islamic hardliner. This man promoted the policy of ethnic cleansing including the murder of non-Muslim men and the rape of non-Muslim women as well as forced conversion to Islam. Simon, a Christian was encouraged by his mother to escape after his village was bombed in 1990. With a large group of people consisting mainly of young men, Simon walked a distance of approximately 600 km along the River Nile from his village in Sudan to the border with Uganda. He finally arrived in Kenya in 1993. He says that the group survived the long and dangerous trip by eating wild fruit and leaves and occasionally hunting for wild animals. Many in the group did not survive the journey as they became weak and tired and were killed by soldiers from the National Islamic Front. Some were killed by wild animals and others died as a result of hunger and thirst or diseases such as malaria, cholera, typhoid and dysentery. It was a question of survival of the fittest. He attributes his survival to his faith in God.
After finally arriving in Kenya, Simon spent ten years living in a refugee camp which was set up by the UNHCR. He recalls that the locals were very hostile towards the refugees and would often attack the camp at night and kill refugees. Fortunately, he had the opportunity of attending school and continuing his education whilst living in Kenya. During this period, he was devastated to learn that both his mother and brother had been killed in Sudan by the National Islamic Front.Simon applied for asylum in Australia in 2002 . He arrived in Australia in May 2004. He now lives in a sparsely furnished house at Woodville .Simon has managed to obtain employment at a chicken factory in Wingfield. Many of his fellow workers at the factory are also Sudanese. He is grateful to have found employment.
When asked about his impressions of Australia, he described it as a good country with friendly people. He says he misses many things about Sudan particularly the sense of community. At twenty six, Simon has spent more than half of his life as a refugee either fleeing violence or living in refugee camps. He has witnessed atrocities that have no doubt scarred him for life. Nevertheless, he is enthusiastic about life in his new country and keen to integrate. Like many refugees, he is testament to the strength of the human spirit.





by barry:D

Labels: Barry, Stories