As I read through the Perry research article, I was amazed at the trauma the young Sudanese males must have experienced during this war and the fact that they became refugees in the United States. Even though they were brought to safety, the events that they witnessed and lived in must have been heart rendering. I did not realize how many refugees took up residence in the United States although I know Africa has always been a place of war and dangerous unrest. Francis, Chol and Ezra realized they would have to be literate in order to make a better life for themselves. They did not have anyone to help them, they learned this from observation of others. A lot of their literate background developed in Sudan where the people did not work like Americans do and their life is not so fast paced. These boys were able to sit with elders and listen to traditional stories about their culture and history and personal stories.
Because of these experiences, these boys have been able to educate others in the United States of the trauma, culture, hardships and perils they experienced in Africa. This is how their storytelling transitioned. They had a different audience with different needs. The storytelling in Africa by the elders was a means of educating it's young. These three boys were fortunate in that they realized the value of this traditional storytelling and also the need to bring stories of their culture with them. Not only did this opportunity share experiences verbally and written, it also helped the boys to transition to a different life but still hold on to the closest thing to their heart, their cultural and ancestral history. How great it would be for our children to learn more from their ancestors through storytelling and less from history books.
Candy Kee
Comments (7)
Candy,
Your comment about learning from ancestors is so important. It reminded me of the art of oral storytelling. When I taught in England we had some of the students grandparents and great grandparents come in and share their stories about World War two and also their experiences during the Queen's coronation and Jubilee. The power of this learning experience was evident in the children's questions and their subsequent art work and journaling about the stories told.
Posted by Karen Massey-Cerda | June 16, 2011 8:02 PM
Posted on June 16, 2011 20:02
Candy, I wished we could help more of the children in our country realize that literacy is power like these men do. No matter how I try to help my students understand the importance of their education, too many seem to be fighting it. My most hardworking students are my Hispanic population and now I think I understand why their parents are active in their child's education. They came here looking for a better life and understand that an education is power in our community. By helping our students find an audience and a means to reach that audience for a meaningful purpose maybe they will understand the need for literacy in their lives.
Posted by Michelle Carlson | June 17, 2011 1:00 PM
Posted on June 17, 2011 13:00
Candy,
I too was shocked by the cruel reality of life in Sudan for “The Lost Boys.” They must be changed forever in a way that we could never relate to or even begin to imagine. I believe this experience fueled their desire to become skilled in Standard English, share stories specific to their culture, and promote the need for drastic change in Sudan. It is priceless what they were able to glean from the elders and is a reminder of the importance their storytelling holds.
Posted by Ruth Ann Timmons | June 17, 2011 4:38 PM
Posted on June 17, 2011 16:38
Great idea! I believe students would really enjoy learning about their ancestors through storytelling. It would be much more engaging. I once had a history professor who taught history in such a way. Instead of merely lecturing, he delivered his instruction more like a story. Before taking his classes, I found history to be extremely boring, but thanks to him, I began to see history as a story of our nation and world instead of just facts.
Posted by Holly Lawson | June 17, 2011 7:22 PM
Posted on June 17, 2011 19:22
I think your right about learning from our ancestors rather than a textbook. There is something about learning from others that makes it more meaningful. Textbooks are packed full of information, but students aren't engaged with their learning or as Francis stated "we don't learn". If students could learn from stories that others can share, rather it be a family member, or community member, an educator, or a classmate it has an everlasting impact. Isn't that what we want out of our learning experieces? We want our students to "take their learning with them" instead of never truely understanding or making connections to their learning.
Posted by Karin Scott | June 17, 2011 9:18 PM
Posted on June 17, 2011 21:18
Candy,
I also think it is important to listen to stories from our past as it is a way to learn about ourselves. I love to hear my grandparents and parents tell me about what life was like in the "olden days." This storytelling helps us preserve our heritage. As for the Lost Boys you are right. They did have to find a way to fit in the American society and one way they found to do that is to tell their stories through many media outlets. Because they were willing, they educated the public and raised awareness to what was happening in the Sudan, rather than hiding and looking the other way. I hope in telling their stories they have gained clarity about the situation and while the traumatic events can not be changed, perhaps they can find satisfaction in knowing they have helped educate others as to why it happened.
Posted by Karen Gold | June 18, 2011 8:52 PM
Posted on June 18, 2011 20:52
Not only can children learn about ancestral life through stories, but also they can learn about contemporary life and different cultures. Good ideas!
Posted by Dr. Jackson | June 20, 2011 10:44 AM
Posted on June 20, 2011 10:44