Published: Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Updated: Tuesday, February 1, 2011 23:02
Liset-Valle Jimenez
After 10 years of subjection and dehumanization, Francis "Piol" Bok of the Sudanese Dinka tribe finally became a free man after his relocation to North Dakota by the United Nations in 1999. On Tuesday, Bok arrived at UCF's Pegasus Ballroom to talk about the current issues facing his country and his life story as an ex-Sudanese child slave.
Mark Freeman, UCF's Global Perspectives public affairs coordinator, said the university feels passionately about human trafficking or modern day enslavement and often tries to bring speakers in to discuss the subject. Bok's last visit to UCF was on Nov. 16, 2006.
Bok, now in his early 30's, vividly remembers the Arab militia that raided his village when he was seven. After the murder of his mother, father and all but one sibling, he was forced to serve a master,Giemma Abdullah,as chattel in a blatant display of 21st century enslavement.
Bok recalls how he witnessed genocide and how it impacted him at such a young age. He compares his life to a scene in the movie "Hotel Rwanda" and his encounters with those of Holocaust survivors.
"The bodies were on top of one another as if resting and blood ran like water in a river at my feet," said Bok.
"My age didn't allow me to comprehend what was happening in front of my eyes."
However, the tone of the forum was one of jubilation as Bok rejoiced for the future of an independent South Sudan.
Bok thanked his audience for their support and with arms raised and hands open, he expressed his appreciation of all things American and encouraged his listeners to take part in the future of a free South Sudan.
"You have to talk to your community, but first it takes education," said Bok. "They will listen because you are their future leaders."
Among the audience was Michael Fitzwater's eighth grade class from South Seminole Middle School.
"In our leadership class we learn traits and apply them to global issues," said Fitzwater.
Roughly 28 students came to hear Bok speak and learn more about human trafficking, a topic they have been focusing on in class. The group also raised a few hundred dollars for the Free the Slaves foundation.
Even though Bok is grateful, he does feel that the current U.S. government has not done enough to help the conflict between North and South Sudan.
"This is not a short term relationship," said Bok. "We need each other."
He added that it is naïve to think that what happens overseas doesn't impact you here.
Mechanical engineer major Curtis Gordon, 28, said he wanted to see Bok because after reading so much about slavery while in Jamaica, he had to see for himself someone who had actually been through it all.
The Francis Bok Foundation hopes to begin its development of new South Sudanese high schools in June of this year. Donations can also be made to the American Anti-Slavery Group's website, iabolish.org.
"After I arrived in 1999 as a refugee I said to myself that I would not live my life as an individual," said Bok. "I decided to dedicate my life's story — I will not be free until all my people are free at last."
Mark Freeman, UCF's Global Perspectives public affairs coordinator, said the university feels passionately about human trafficking or modern day enslavement and often tries to bring speakers in to discuss the subject. Bok's last visit to UCF was on Nov. 16, 2006.
Bok, now in his early 30's, vividly remembers the Arab militia that raided his village when he was seven. After the murder of his mother, father and all but one sibling, he was forced to serve a master,Giemma Abdullah,as chattel in a blatant display of 21st century enslavement.
Bok recalls how he witnessed genocide and how it impacted him at such a young age. He compares his life to a scene in the movie "Hotel Rwanda" and his encounters with those of Holocaust survivors.
"The bodies were on top of one another as if resting and blood ran like water in a river at my feet," said Bok.
"My age didn't allow me to comprehend what was happening in front of my eyes."
However, the tone of the forum was one of jubilation as Bok rejoiced for the future of an independent South Sudan.
Bok thanked his audience for their support and with arms raised and hands open, he expressed his appreciation of all things American and encouraged his listeners to take part in the future of a free South Sudan.
"You have to talk to your community, but first it takes education," said Bok. "They will listen because you are their future leaders."
Among the audience was Michael Fitzwater's eighth grade class from South Seminole Middle School.
"In our leadership class we learn traits and apply them to global issues," said Fitzwater.
Roughly 28 students came to hear Bok speak and learn more about human trafficking, a topic they have been focusing on in class. The group also raised a few hundred dollars for the Free the Slaves foundation.
Even though Bok is grateful, he does feel that the current U.S. government has not done enough to help the conflict between North and South Sudan.
"This is not a short term relationship," said Bok. "We need each other."
He added that it is naïve to think that what happens overseas doesn't impact you here.
Mechanical engineer major Curtis Gordon, 28, said he wanted to see Bok because after reading so much about slavery while in Jamaica, he had to see for himself someone who had actually been through it all.
The Francis Bok Foundation hopes to begin its development of new South Sudanese high schools in June of this year. Donations can also be made to the American Anti-Slavery Group's website, iabolish.org.
"After I arrived in 1999 as a refugee I said to myself that I would not live my life as an individual," said Bok. "I decided to dedicate my life's story — I will not be free until all my people are free at last."
Source: centralfloridafuture.com
Former Sudanese child slave visits UCF to speak about modern day slavery - Central Florida Future
No comments:
Post a Comment