We hope you walked away from Friday’s assembly with many new insights, noticing some patterns in the stories we’ve studied together (again and again), and even more questions that you could further explore on your own. Include an example of these three elements in your response.
For this week’s post, you’ll need to reflect on Friday’s presentation by Gabriel Bol Deng. What was most memorable to you about his presentation? Which part of his story sticks with you the most and why? What are you taking away from his time with us?
We hope you walked away from Friday’s assembly with many new insights, noticing some patterns in the stories we’ve studied together (again and again), and even more questions that you could further explore on your own. Include an example of these three elements in your response.
42 Comments
Alric good
11/4/2017 12:26:08 pm
One insight I had was when he said that before they had raised money for 700 tee-shirts, one thing I noticed was the fact that Gabriel like salva had planned on going back to Sudan to help out. Some questions I have are... What kinds of books do you have the kids in Sudan reading? What was the name of the village in Sudan you used to live in? Do you know your birthday?
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Sam A.
11/5/2017 03:37:46 am
One of the things that I will remember about him is that he went through so much and never gave up. He saw his village burnt to the ground, his cows were stollen be gun men, his parents died, he was chased by lions and he was forced to walk for many many miles to get refuge at KaKuma Refugee Camp. One thing that I personally am taking away form his visit is that you should never give up. He went through so much and didn't give up, and now he is well known for it.
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Meghan Ch.
11/5/2017 08:10:56 am
The most memorable thing from Gabriel’s story, was the 2 days of the lion watching. I told my family about that and they were so amazed. The part of the story that sticks with me most was his main title. “Hope can move mountains.” If you persevere through the tough times you can do anything. I am taking away from his story to never give up!!!
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gabe collins
11/5/2017 09:58:21 am
I was absent on that day, i would have asked him if he knew when he was born, if he is in contact with his parents.
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Cat D
11/5/2017 10:55:09 am
The part that was memorable to me was when he showed the video of all the kids at the school. I thought that it was so interesting that the kids were so happy, yet whenever we wake up to go to school we aren’t very happy about it. These kids had the biggest smiles on their faces. The part of his journey that stuck with me the most was when he talked about all the challenges he faced such as, the long walk, starvation, hunger, and his lion encounter. He is very good at problem solving. I am taking away there is no challenge that is impossible to overcome. He faced a lot, but there he was standing right in front of us. All of the stories we have encountered these last two months have all talked about the challenges they faced and overcome. These keep coming up “again and again”. It really makes you think about how you think the challenges that you face from day to day are hard to overcome and then you look at their lives and you think wow, my life is easy. It really makes me wonder if I went to Sudan for a year, would I survive? Probably not, because we have so many privileges here in America and we aren’t very grateful for them. This presentation brought a lot of new insight for me. It made me really appreciate what I have. This unit really made me a better person. I am so grateful for what I have now. This Thanksgiving I will have a lot to be thankful for.
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Gavin B.
11/5/2017 12:21:20 pm
The most memorable part and the part that stuck out to me the most about Gabriel Bol Deng’s story was how when he went back to Ariang, he saw kids, young and old, learning in makeshift classes under trees. This stuck out to me because it showed that even when there are no schools or even “real” teachers, everyone can still learn something from anyone.
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Aiden C
11/5/2017 01:02:59 pm
The part that stuck out to me the most and that I find most memorable was the part where Gabriel Bol Deng's village was attacked. The cows were stolen, buildings destroyed, people being killed. It was horrible what was happening. Then he said he was ran into the forest. The part where Mr Bold Deng met a lion was very interesting. The bad news s all of these bad things are happening today. I found it memorable because Gabriel told us what was happening in Sudan.
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Josie Coyne
11/5/2017 01:21:35 pm
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Nathan W-F
11/5/2017 01:33:27 pm
I found just seeing him in person most memorable. I knew that he was coming, but it just seemed so much more real seeing him. The part where he comes back to his village and sees it burning sticks with me most. To me this stuck with me, because it's something that I have heard that happens, and I can picture it very well. I took away from the speech that you should never give up hope, and to trust your instincts.
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Dominick
11/5/2017 03:25:35 pm
The most memorable moment was just seeing him in person because I want to see how he looked and how tall he was ect. The part that stuck out the most was the subway story because he had a opinion about American food and it was awesome. I learned that be greatful for what you have.
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Cade Fowler
11/5/2017 03:43:35 pm
Gabriel Bol Deng talked abouthow he ran and never saw his parent again. Went to refugee camp and lived a long time their. One day he got called to go to america. I think it is pretty cool that he had adventure in his life. It's sad that he lost his family but he meets his relatives.
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Luke.M
11/5/2017 04:41:25 pm
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Caroline S
11/5/2017 05:58:46 pm
The most memorable part of the presentation was when he told us about the 3 girls who are going to school and their dreams of what they want to be when they grow up! That was super inspiring and I realised how fortunate I was to be able to have a great education! The part that stuck with me was the fact that I am so fortunate to have an amazing education and awesome opportunities that I have! I have taken away that I should enjoy my life because some people don’t have running water and clean water even! I also have taken away that I am extremely fortunate that I don’t have to walk for 2 hours every day to school in bare feet!
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Sabina H
11/6/2017 04:08:03 am
.Having Gabriel Bol Deng come to visit us and speak to us is a very important and memorable thing. The part that stuck out to me the most was his answer to when someone asked him what motivated him to start his foundation. This is because he really went into detail about helping others, and never giving up. If you know you can do something to stop someone from suffering, do it! And coming from a man who’s been through so much, it’s really important to me now (more than before) that helping people is important and not everything is so easy.
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Olivia L
11/7/2017 09:59:52 am
Gabriel Bol Deng was very inspiring and said many important events that stuck with me. One of the events he talked about that stayed with me was when he went back to southern Sudan and found his parents have died. This was very sad and something that he and the people that he has shared this with will never forget. This stayed with me because he was hoping to go back and reunite with his family, but when he got there his family and home were both gone. As we have watched and read about lost boys they have all reunited with their families. So when we were talking about Gabriel Bol Deng and his family it was very sad as it always would be. Today Gabriel can still visit the tree his parents were buried under which can still keep him connected with them in some way.
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Hailey Webber
11/7/2017 12:07:28 pm
Mr. Bol Deng's presentation was very inspiring in many ways. The most memorable thing for me about his presentation was when he told us about how he was fleeing from his burning village, when he encountered lions trying to eat him. The part of his story that best stuck with me was when he said that he started his foundation with only 200 t shirts. This stuck with me the most, because it showed how "hope can move a mountain." I have taken away many things from Mr. Bol Deng's time with us, but one of the greatest is; believe in yourself, and you can achieve anything. For me, I have had many insights from this conversation. For example, a refugee doesn't become a refugee because they want to. It just happens. I have noticed many patterns in stories like Mr. Bol Deng's. For example, in stories like this, there are many people don't know the fate of their families when they flee their country from war. After being able to witness Mr. Bol Deng's story, I have some additional questions, like "What was motivating you along your difficult journey?" Also, "Who did you meet along the way that you befriended and helped to survive?" Thank you, Mr. Bol Deng for letting us listen to your inspiring life story.
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Jake Ogata
11/7/2017 02:33:43 pm
What was most memorable to me was when he talked about his story as a kid and what he went through taking care of the cattle and his story of when he took the cattle to graze. The part of the story that sticks with me is also the part when he took the cattle to graze and some bad people took the cattle, and then his village caught on fire, and he witnessed a murder and all of that. This stuck with me because I have never heard such a story. I thought… WOW, what he went through was very tough and you have to be very strong and brave to go what Mr. Bol Deng went through
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Cristina Prattico
11/7/2017 03:13:58 pm
I would have to say that the most memorable part of his whole discussion was the video he showed about the girls who had little opportunity, but now are dreaming of becoming doctors, lawyer, etc. It is incredibly empowering. This showed also how Gabriel’s work is changing the mindset and futures of many Sudanese citizens. Gabriel’s journey to this great part in his life was similar to Salva’s yet unique in it’s own way. The part of his journey that was most memorable to me was when he was going back to his village after taking care of his cows. Another group of fleeing men and women had told him to come with them, but he refused. What would have happened if he accepted the offer? Would the Primary School be existent? Would he even be here in this gym, talking to us? In all, I can say that Gabriel Bol Deng’s visit changed our viewpoint drastically on the subject of education and how we, in a first world country take it for granted.
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Charlotte S.
11/7/2017 07:26:22 pm
Gabriel Bol Deng’s presentation was a very interesting presentation. The part when we had to leave his country was most memorable to me. His journey when he had to walk miles and miles sticks with me because he had to go through so many hard times and it is amazing how he fought through that. I think I am taking away how strong he had to be during his journey and how he survived through it all.
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Zach T
11/9/2017 06:23:41 am
After Mr. Bol Deng's presentation I took away many new insights but the main one is when the militia attacked his village and some random man risked his life for him. He risked his life because he picked him up and ran away from the village but when he did this the man sadly got shot in the back. If it was not for that man Gabriel might have been killed. If i had been in this situation that man getting killed literally right in front of me it would stay with me forever. The thing I took away from his presentation is to never give up hope no matter what anyone tells you and to believe in yourself.
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Josie Coyne
11/9/2017 02:00:08 pm
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Karter ball
11/9/2017 02:40:21 pm
The most memorable part in Gariel Bold Dang’s visit was when he told the lion story. The story was about when he got chased by a lion when he was a little kid. In the story he told how the lion chased him up into a tree where he had to sleep until the lion went away. Once he woke up a tribe of people came and he screamed for help to get him down. He joined the tribe of lost boys and traveled thousands of miles to get to a refugee camp. The distance that he traveled was like going from New York City to Florida. This was the most memorable story to me because it was something that I just could not comprehend. We do not have lions in Central New York in the wild like we do deer.
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Lily D.
11/10/2017 09:23:57 am
The most memorable part about Gabriel Bol Deng’s presentation was how he thought about America, and about the “big yellow limousine.” This stuck with me because there are so many things that I tend to take for granted that Mr. Bol Deng commented on having been amazed by when he first came to the United States. A big thing he mentioned over and over again was a school bus, which he referred to as a “big yellow limousine.” He said he was still impressed by it today. I might usually think about my bus ride to school as long and annoying, but Mr. Bol Deng has brought a new light to the ride. Although it may still seem boring, I know I am lucky to have it at all. Based on all of the different stories I have heard, it seems that Lost Boys who came to the U.S. during the Sudanese civil war had two things in common: they were fascinated by American technology, and they wanted to help their people in Sudan. I still wonder how many Lost Boys came to America. Also, how many schools and wells have been built since the war?
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Oscer blaire
11/10/2017 12:56:09 pm
Personally I loved Gabriel’s presentation because he is a very positive guy and he wants everyone to succeed in life. What stuck out to me the most was when he first started talking and he said how he wanted to go back to the his village when the war had started but one person decided to save his life and ran after him and carried him away, and then when the person got shot and killed, Gabriel didn’t know what to do so he played dead. I still keep picturing this in my head and this was just such a smart and good idea. What I take away from Gabreil’a presentation in honestly to never get up hope because Gabriel never stopped hoping once in his whole time “climbing the mountains”.
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Tamana N
11/10/2017 04:12:48 pm
The most memorable part of the speech was when Gabriel bol Deng had the encounter of the lion I thought it was cool that he faced the lion without getting scared. I would not be able to face the lion.That shows he is a brave and strong person. The time that I was brave in was swimming in the deep end of a pool even though I did not know how to swim. Gabriel bol Deng story was a marvelous story to listen to because of how much he has been through and he still has a smile on his face.
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Daejah
11/11/2017 01:38:31 pm
The most memorable thing about his presentation is being able To move mountains he wasn't really moving mountains but he was able to get to his goals and overcome his obstacles (the mountains) one part of his story that stuck to me was he wanted to get an education. He came to America and the first thing he did was get an education. This stuck to me the most because education wouldn't be that important to me especially if I don't know the language Or anything else about America. One thing I will take away from this is anything is possible. He was able to come To America get a degree work at a collage have a successful life and support his home town.
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Meghan Culligan
11/12/2017 07:07:54 am
The part of Gabriel’s presentation that was most memorable was the part about how a man was carrying Gabriel and was shot. Gabriel said that he had to play dead. If I was in that situation I would have never thought to play dead. One part of his story that stuck with me was how he said he liked Hannah Montana. I could make a connection to this because when I was younger my friend and I used to watch it whenever I was at her house. Salva's story and Gabriel's story had many similarities, one of them was that they both found out what happened to their families, and they now spend their time helping the people in Sudan. Something that I took away from Gabriel’s presentation was to never lose hope and that having hope can be the difference between death, and survival.
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Lewis Tearney
11/12/2017 09:59:41 am
What I can reflect on the presentation on behalf of Gabriel Bol Deng is what I learned.For example he talk about what it was like to walk hundred of miles to the refugee camp not knowing the fact he was alone not knowing anyone.I learned that even in the darkest times it good to look for the happiness that keep you going every day and makes you strive for what is right in life.The most memorable moment that interested me the most is the fact that Gabriel walk hundred of thousand of miles with a group of people bare foot.Also the fact that he grew thirsty and hungry everyday and never had a enough.But had the little bit of strength in his heart to keep walking for his stakes.
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Chris.D
11/12/2017 11:16:43 am
The most memorable part of Gabriel Boldeng’s story that stuck with me the most was how a tree grew on the spot where his mother was buried. I thought it was really cool how he took it to mean that she was still alive. I think Gabriel’s foundation is really going to help lots of kids in Sudan on there long walks to school and to get water. Another part of his story that stuck with me was how he had hide in the the bushes from the soldiers when he was a little kid. I think it's really sad that anyone would have to go through that.
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CIERA P.
11/12/2017 01:00:24 pm
Gabriel Bal Deng’s Visit
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Momo
11/12/2017 01:34:25 pm
Some thing memroble from the presentation was the guy getting shot in the back as he was carrying gabreial it really shows he violent they were
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Zamora M.
11/12/2017 02:46:35 pm
Gabriel Bol Deng’s speech from last week was very memorable and powerful. The part of his speech that I found most unforgettable was when he talked about how some girls in Africa have to walk for three hours just to get to school. I complain about having to get up early and going to school on a school bus for 20 min! He really put things in perspective for me. Most people think school buses are metal tin cans that the government lets kids ride in. Gabriel called them yellow limos. That just shows how little there must be in his country of Southern Sudan. How thing that we, citizens in the US, take for granted that we should really begin to be more grateful for. And they can be simple like a ride to school, shoes or water.
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Dakota W.
11/12/2017 03:07:02 pm
One thing that was most memorable for me about Gabriel Bol Deng’s visit was when he said “we can move mountains together” which tells me that people are going to need to work together to accomplish things that they can’t do themselves and I think that is a very important thing remember. One part of his story that stuck out to me was how he saw people killing his cows and laid down in the grass so they wouldn’t know he was there or was watching them. This shows how clever and sneaky you had to be to survive certain situations. One thing I can take away from Gabriel bol Deng’s presentation is the idea that hope and a positive attitude can take you far. Throughout reading the book A Long Walk To Water and learning about other people from South Sudan who have all faced very tough challenges, one thing that keeps coming up over and over again is how they all had hope to overcome those challenging situations.
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Morgan
11/12/2017 03:35:25 pm
The most memorable thing that Gabriel Bol Deng talked about in my opinion was that he was able to go through so much( losing most of his family,running away from his home,walking long and hard for extremely long times with little food or water)and still he has hope and pride and is dedicating his life to get education to others and help make their lives better.
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Gannon
11/12/2017 04:25:48 pm
The most memorable thing about Mr. Bol Deng’s presentation to me was that Hope is what got him through his time in sudan and even in times of distress he still had it and got through everything in his way. Hope also was mentioned more than once in his presentation and it was an example of an again and again. When Mr. Bol Deng was telling us about how when he was little and herding his cows he heard gunshots and the soldiers were taking his cattle and shooting them and he decided to hide and wait for them leave. Then he ran two miles to go warn his village. If I was in his position I would have panicked and expose myself to the soldiers and either be captured or have been killed. This will probably stick with me the most because a boy 11 years old keep his composure in a huge moment of crisis and survived. This is also a memory moment. I will be taking away from this presentation to always have hope even if you think you can’t have it any more. Also when he was talking about him joining the group after being in the tree I was surprised that people in the group were so open arms to Mr. Bol because in the book A Long Walk To Water People in the group Salva found people didn't want him. This is an example of contrast and contradictions.
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Madie P.
11/12/2017 04:52:44 pm
The thing that was most memorable to me about his presentation was the part when he showed us the videos of the three girls and their dreams and stories. It made me think about how all of the kids in South Sudan have dreams just like us and Gabriel Bol Deng is helping those dreams come true. The part of his story that sticks out to me the most is the part when he was going back to his village to try to find his family during the war but then a man stopped him and picked him up on his shoulder and carried him away from the village so that he wouldn’t get hurt. This stuck out to me the most because it showed me that even though it was kind-of an every-man-for-himself situation, a man still choose kindness over saving himself. What I’m taking away from his visit is to always help others no matter the circumstances. Even though he started a new life here in America, he still helped those back in his real home even though they were many miles away. From this assembly, I learned even more about the Sudanese people and their love for each other. Some things that I noticed that were the same in all of the Lost Boys’ stories is their love for their villages back in Africa and their want to help those back home. Also, I noticed that all of the Lost Boys’ personalities were very similar. They all cared for everyone and they all were very brave, either when they were walking across many African countries or traveling to a foreign country (the United States) to try and find safety. Some questions that I still have are: Are there still Lost Boys coming to the United States from other African countries? And: Have there ever been any Lost Girls?
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Cielo M.
11/12/2017 04:58:27 pm
Gabriel Bol Deng’s presentation was very inspiring. The message he portrayed was to keep hope. Although he has had a rough life that many of us couldn't even imagine, he has managed to use this and survive crazy experiences. I found that the lion incident was the most memorable. I don't know what I would do if I were ever in the situation he was in. I find it maddening that kids our age have to experience these things even today. During Gabriel’s presentation, he talked about how his father and mother would tell him that he too, one day would move mountains. His parents had been through some rough experiences (they lived in Sudan, and we’ve learned they have many challenges even today). Following, he starts to talk about keeping hope all the while. The thing I took away from Gabriel's presentation was exactly that. I agree, every single one of us will have challenges (mountains) and to overcome those we will have to stay hopeful that something good will come along. If I had gone up to ask a question, I would have asked Gabriel: Who was the most helpful when crossing the desert? What do you think you would have asked him?
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Nikki G.
11/12/2017 05:36:34 pm
For me, the part where he had to play dead after a person right next to him got shot was the part that stood out to me. I say this, because I feel like it had to take a lot of bravery to not just stand there and stare in shock and horror. I took away from this the idea that there will be challenges in life that you can get past in a wise, intelligent way.
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Gracey Hobika
11/12/2017 05:43:57 pm
It was such an honor to see Mr. Bol Deng in our school. After learning about the lost boys and the war, it was so cool. He had to go through a lot. He never gave up. I learned to find something I love and try and make an impact on other people’s life’s. I am so fortunate to have my family with me. He drilled in 4 nearby wells with fresh water. He raised over 250,000$! I took a lot away from his story and loved it.
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TJ Tanner
11/13/2017 06:14:10 am
The most memorable part was in the begining an that a lion was right under him and he had to stay up there for a long time.
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JiMBO
11/13/2017 06:20:49 am
The presentation was really fun because Gabriel’s story was very interesting. Oscar was next to me and that was kinda distracting. Overall his visit was really cool.
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Mikey M
11/13/2017 02:07:58 pm
The most memorable part of Gabriel's presentation was his dedication to his foundation and to the kids at his school. That part of the story stuck with me because it was amazing how committed he was to the children's education. A takeaway from his presentation is that perseverance is key when you want to achieve anything. A further question I have for him is, "What are your plans going forward with your foundation?" Gabriel's story was a lot like other stories we have studied like Salva's and John Dau's because they came from nothing and were eventually successful.
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