The Lost Boys of Sudan: Ambiguous Loss, Search for Family, and Reestablishing Relationships With Family Members*

Abstract

The Lost Boys of Sudan were separated from their families by civil war and subsequently lived in 3 other countries-Ethiopia, Kenya, and the United States. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 refugees who located surviving family members in Sudan after an average separation of 13.7 years. The interviews probed their experiences of ambiguous loss, relationships in the refugee camps, the search for family, and reestablishing relationships with family members living on another continent. With guidance from elders, peer groups functioned as surrogate families until the youth reestablished relationships with surviving members of their biological families.

Technology’s Refuge: The use of technology by asylum seekers and refugees

“…• refugee health and education -the provision of basic services to refugees -(see Preston 1991;Hodes 2002;Mares & Jureidini 2003); this includes the psychological effects of family displacement and separation (see Nickerson 2008;Johnson & Stoll 2008;Luster et al 2009;Senyurekli & Detzner 2008). …”

“…Luster et al (2009) acknowledged the critical importance of the telephone in reconnecting Sudanese refugees in the US with their lost families in Africa. Glazebrook (2004) examined mobile phone use amongst refugees on Temporary Protection Visas in Australia; McIver Jr and Prokosch (2002) explored how various technologies are used for information-seeking by immigrants and refugees in the US; and Howard and Owens (2002) looked at the internet as a medium for communicating health information to refugee groups.…”

“…Ms M recounted that the Red Cross hand-delivered letters with emergency supplies. Luster et al (2009) noted this was the only formal avenue available to asylum seekers and refugees, amongst numerous informal strategies for sustaining connection with family members.…”

Repartir à zéro loin de sa terre natale : la réinstallation des Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan au Canada

“…Selon eux, cette famille a contribué à leur propre bien-être (ou capital affectif) et à leur réussite au Canada, et s'est avérée un autre facteur de protection en leur faveur. Plusieurs Lost Boys vivent dans l'incertitude permanente de savoir où se trouvent les membres de leur famille et si ceux-ci sont vivants (Luster et al, 2008). Par exemple, Mack a été séparé de sa famille à l'âge de neuf ans et n'a pu être réuni avec sa mère biologique pour la première fois en 20 ans que quelques jours avant notre rencontre.…”

Telecommunications across borders

“…• the provision of basic health and education services to refugees (see Preston 1991;Hodes 2002;Mares & Jureidini 2003) including the treatment of the psychological effects of family displacement and separation (see Nickerson 2008;Johnson & Stoll 2008;Luster et al 2009;Senyurekli & Detzner 2008 • male and female refugees or asylum seekers; participants from different regions of the world, including Africa, the Balkans, Asia and the Middle East;…”