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Early 2008: One Book One Philadelphia selected Dave Egger's What is the What written about the conflicts in Sudan. Partnering with One Book, One Philadelphia, Drexel University Writing Program students wrote ten inteviews on local Sudanese immigrants that were published in Philadelphia City Paper. After meeting one of these Sudanese interviewees, Harriton High School student Josh Millan, with the support of his Gifted and Talented teacher, Dr. Terry O'Connor, founded the 'Lost Boys' of Sudan Reunion Project which raised $3,600 to reunite 'Lost Boy' Michael Kuch with his family living in Australia. Josh and Dr. O'Connor also organized an Oxfam Hunger Banquet to educate the community about the crisis in Sudan.
In July 2008 'Lost Boy' Michael Kuch was reunited with his mother in Brisbane, Australia. Michael and his mother were separated nineteen years ago when their village was attacked by government backed militia. Michael was five years old. Michael invited Josh and his family to document their reunion. This emotional event, made possible by the generous donations of Harriton High School students, teachers, community members, family and friends, greatly impacted the lives of everyone involved.
You can read about last year’s recipient here:
http://harrietmillan.blogspot.com
His journey is documented here:
Drexel students interview Lost Boys and refugees from Sudan:
http://www.valentinoachakdeng.org/blog/?p=141
2009: This year, the Drexel University Writing Program and Harriton High School¹s Challenge Program are sponsoring a Read-a-Thon to expand the Reunion Project. Student readers will take pledges for $10 per book. Students may read up to a total of 100 books listed on our list. These books encompass: the crisis in Sudan, African poetry and folktales, literary classics and other genocides in human history. The money raised will be used toward airfare to fund the reunion of 'Lost Boys' in the Philadelphia area with their families living abroad. 'Lost Boys' will compete for this honor by submitting an essay on a prompt that can be found on our website: www.drexel.edu/writingprogram (click on Reunion Project).
Donations can be made through this PayPal account to support the 2009 reunion of the selected individual with his family.
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