God Grew Tired of Us

One day, as Dau and other boys from Pinyudu eat corn by the Gilo River, Ethiopian soldiers shoot at them. The boys jump into the crocodile-infested river to flee the attack, but an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 die during the crossing—whether from gunfire, drowning, or crocodiles. With Ethiopia now engaged in a civil war similar to Sudan’s, the boys must flee for safety once again. They head toward Pochala, a region that is rumored to be controlled by the SPLA. During the journey they come across Ethiopian refugees who join the group. The line of refugees is “so long that two days passed between the first boy and last boy crossing the same spot in the muddy road” (102).

They finally arrive in Pochala, “a friendly but broken town” (103). The SPLA share their food, but it’s not enough to feed the multitude of hungry mouths. They stay in Pochala for nine months. During that time they grow accustomed to the constant bombings from the Antonov planes; they survive by laying in trenches. They also develop trading relationships with the neighboring Anyuak, but the partnership sours when the Anyuak start taking advantage of the starving boys.

Living conditions take a positive turn when the UN finally drops food, water, and clothing for the boys. Like in Pinyudu, Dau finds a sense of happiness in his “daily routine of cooking, games, and building huts and trenches” (108). However, in January 1992 they are again forced to flee as the war draws closer. They plan to move through “a line of villages stretched south from Raat like beads on a long string: Pakok. Buma. Kapoeta, the largest town in eastern Equatoria. Then Nairus” (111). The goal is to reach the safety of Kenya, but it’s a 500-mile trek. Deep into the journey, conditions deteriorate: “The sun hammered us from above. Boys tried to urinate, but nothing came out. They walked from person to person, holding out their cups and begging for someone to pee a little so they could drink it” (116).

Just when Dau thinks he can’t go on, a UN water truck appears on the path, bringing the boys fresh water. Every day after, the UN water truck appears along the path to refresh the boys with water and food on their journey. After many stops in various villages, the boys finally make it to Lokichokio, the “UN headquarters for all of East Africa” (125). Dau stays here for a couple months before the UN moves the boys to a newly organized camp in Kakuma. Since it’s a 74-mile journey, the UN sends the boys in trucks; it’s Dau’s first ride in a vehicle.

The refugees aren’t allowed to work for money in Kenya, so the “boys became dependent on donations” to stay alive (128). The camp begins to feel like home as Dau makes and moves in to a hut, the UN provides a permanent well for the residents, and the boys meet every night for church and worship.