Imagine a sound so devastating it shatters your childhood and forces you to flee for your life. This was the reality for Bol Aweng and Jok Dau, two six-year-old boys from Piol, a village in South Sudan. Their story, one of unimaginable hardship and remarkable resilience, ultimately led to the creation of the Buckeye Clinic, a beacon of hope in a region ravaged by conflict and neglect.
It was 38 years ago when the boys, tending to their families' livestock, heard the deafening roar of gunfire. It wasn’t just a single shot; it was a cacophony of war – artillery, tanks, and bombs raining down from the sky. Terrified, they ran, leaving behind everything they knew.
And this is the part most people miss: Their flight wasn’t solitary. They were joined by thousands of other children, all fleeing similar horrors. This mass exodus became known as the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” a name that echoes the tragedy and resilience of these young survivors.
Their journey was a harrowing odyssey. Over 1,000 miles on foot, through disease, hunger, animal attacks, and the constant threat of soldiers. Many perished along the way. Eventually, they reached Ethiopia, only to be displaced again when civil war erupted there. Forced to flee once more, they trekked to a refugee camp in Kenya, their numbers dwindling further with each step.
But here's where it gets controversial: In these camps, survival was a daily struggle. Limited resources, inadequate education, and the constant specter of violence defined their existence. Aweng and Dau, though resilient, were denied the tools to truly thrive. This experience planted the seed of a dream – a dream to give back, to provide the support they themselves had lacked.
Years later, resettled in the United States, that dream took root. Inspired by their own experiences and the dedication of individuals like Professor Malcolm Cochran, they conceived of the Buckeye Clinic. Returning to their devastated village, they witnessed the dire lack of healthcare, particularly for mothers and children. South Sudan boasts the world’s highest maternal mortality rate, a stark testament to the absence of basic medical care.
The decision to build a clinic wasn’t just about providing medical treatment; it was about empowering a community to rebuild. A healthy population could farm, educate their children, and begin to reclaim their future. Through tireless fundraising efforts, involving churches, schools, and community groups across Ohio, the Buckeye Clinic became a reality in 2012.
For eight years, the clinic provided vital services – vaccinations, childbirth care, and general medical attention. It became a lifeline for Piol and surrounding villages. However, in 2020, devastating floods forced the clinic to relocate to Mongalla, where it continues to operate as a satellite clinic, serving a densely populated area of refugees from multiple flooded villages.
The clinic’s story is one of unwavering dedication in the face of immense challenges. Reduced federal funding, including cuts from the United States Agency for International Development, has strained resources. Yet, the clinic persists, relying on crowdfunding, grants, and the generosity of international organizations like Doctors Without Borders.
The question remains: Is it enough? With the United States government scaling back foreign aid, the future of initiatives like the Buckeye Clinic hangs in the balance. The clinic’s organizers, driven by the gratitude and resilience of the people they serve, refuse to give up. But they need our help.
The Buckeye Clinic’s website (https://buckeyeclinic.org/donate/) offers a way to contribute. The question is, will we answer the call? Will we stand with those who have endured so much and continue to fight for a better future? The choice is ours.
