Do you remember how life was when you were seven years old?  When Simon Deng was seven he was forced to flee his family and his home due to unspeakable acts of violence.  Simon and so many other Lost Boys and Girls like him walked thousands of miles in search of peace without any food, water or shelter.  They witnessed the cruelties of this struggle; they saw those that were too weak to carry on and those that were savagely attacked in the bush by lions or in the rivers by crocodiles.

As children, The Lost Boys and Girls faced persecution and heartache that is hard to imagine. Now, they are looking to move forward.  Now, they are looking to return home.

In January 2011, Southern Sudan voted nearly unanimously for independence from the north.  Soon, the world's newest country must hold elections, build a new economy and chart a path toward reconciliation after so many years of warfare.  The challenges for Southern Sudan are steep where only 2% of boy’s and less than 1% of girl’s complete primary education, and only 7% of teachers have had formal training.     

The Lost Boys and Girls who were displaced around the world are looking to return home and help build their new country.  Out of the tragedy of their displacements from their homes many of the Lost Boys and Girls found jobs and received an education.  Now they want to find ways to put what they learned to work in building a new nation.

Executives Without Borders is partnering with The Lost Boys and Girls to help organize their members and find ways to help in Southern Sudan.

The partnership between Executives Without Borders will focus on:

• Finding ways to play a role in the reconciliation process
• Empowering Lost Boys and Girls with needed skills to return home to Sudan and help build the infrastructure of a new country 
• Bridging the gaps between investors interested in Southern Sudan and those with opportunities for investment

In May, we will be sponsoring a trip to fund the return of some of the Lost Boys to Sudan along with staff members from Executives Without Borders to explore these areas and develop specific action plans for engagement. 

Join Executives Without Borders in supporting The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan as they forge their new future, in their new country.