Hope and impediments | Valentino Achak Deng | TEDxBerlin

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. South Sudanese Valentino Achak Deng speaks about his life as a war survivor and his efforts for health-care and education in the ravaged communities of his homeland.
Valentino was born in southern Sudan (now South Sudan), in the village of Marial Bai. He fled in the late 1980s during the second Sudanese civil war, when his village was destroyed by murahaleen-the same type of militia that currently terrorize the Darfur region of Sudan. Deng spent nine years in Ethiopian and Kenyan refugee camps, where he worked for the UNHCR as a social advocate and reproductive health educator. In 2001, he resettled to Atlanta, GA. Deng has toured the United States speaking about his life in South Sudan, his experience as a refugee, and his collaboration with author Dave Eggers on What Is the What, the novelized version of Deng’s life story. As a leader in the South Sudanese diaspora, Deng advocates for the universal right to education. In 2006, Deng and Eggers established the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation to help rebuild South Sudanese communities by increasing educational access. The Foundation’s first major initiative has been the creation of a community-driven educational center in Marial Bai.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@sarahmecklem7518]

I am so moved this many years later to read the terrible story of Achak's life as a lost boy in What is The What. To know the extraordinary outcome provides me with new faith in humankind, in particular the strong heart of Achak Deng in spite of the horrors he experienced throughout his growing years. May this be an inspiration to all.

[@baileymoore7779]

I remember balling my eyes out when I read What is the What. It's amazing someone could suffer through such things and overcome.

[@itsme82960]

I recently read What is the What and was deeply moved by Deng's incredible spirit. He does not just survive--an accomplishment in itself--but he confronts the meaning of suffering and retains his dignity and desire to do good in world where 30,000 boys can be suddenly ripped from their homes and forced to flee. He is not bitter in spite of his many losses; rather, his suffering has been transformed into a desire to make meaning out of a life he came close to losing many times. In 2019, a moment when the desire to pursue the common good seems very trampled upon, Deng's story uplifts and reminds us to always be ready to embrace "the other." If Deng can dedicate his life to education in a poor country after experiencing the worst that human beings can inflict upon others, then surely I too can embrace his spirit in the challenges I face. Thank you to Valentino Achak Deng and David Eggers and TedX Berlin for bringing forth this story.

[@thehighschoolhustler]

Sudan is so forgotten and somehow there is still war there. My heart was moved when I read "What is the What". I wish you the very very best Achak. I will help one day when I can. When I grow up. You have lived through more than I can imagine and you deserve so much more recognition and success. "We all are members of one entity: Humanity" -Valentino Achak Deng. 🙏🙏
I don't know where you are today but I hope you stay strong and stay alive. I know how hard it must be to see your country back at war. ❤thank you for sharing and thank you fror writting that book.

[@autumns908]

Mr Valentino, if you ever read this, I want to commend you for your strength. I cannot grasp just how resilient you are

[@okonymori6506]

Good job brother Valentino for sharing the history and suffering of our people(South Sudan), May God Bless you and open the window of opportunity for more people like you!

[@sapofish]

I'm reading the book now. WOW, Achak!! I am so relieved to know you made it! but I know the trauma you carry must be a heavy burden; I'm sad such beautiful boys such as yourself had to experience so much violence, loss, and trauma. You are such a remarkable example of how to transform suffering into wisdom and generosity! I live in Lansing and there are "Lost Boys" here in our community too (was glad to see Lansing mentioned in your book!) I am so grateful to you for telling your story! it's an important and powerful story that every world citizen should know! And now, civil war in South Sudan, again! Terrible! I wonder how you are handling that. ....I haven't gotten to the part of the book where you reunite with your family but am so happy to know this! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for wrting this book!

[@babiryedodo2387]

Valentino great job 👌I wish you success wanmaath.

[@agnesshomela4705]

Dave eggers writes felicity accounting Achaks past. Read this book in 2008 but is fresh like yesterday. The art cover caught my eye.

[@ajacksonmawienakoon2342]

Thank u so much am really motivated to your advice and may God bless you

[@sori677]

Thank you verymuch for sharing.

[@amyliap3624]

Valentino Achak Deng is so inspiring!

[@lukesaulters4457]

Thank you.

[@AnneX1133]

Amazing!

[@aymangambor2260]

جميل

[@kristin1533]

Amazing young man. What a role model he is for the rest of us. (I'm in the middle of What is the What?. And I have to say it's nice to see his nice round cheeks now!