Valentino Achak Deng & his family in Sudan

http://www.valentinoachakdeng.org
In September 2008 Valentino Achak Deng and Dave Eggers were back in Valentino's hometown of Marial Bai, Southern Sudan, where they are constructing a secondary school and a large educational center using the proceeds from Eggers's novel What Is the What. In this clip, they take a tour of Valentino's home in Marial Bai and meet his family.

To learn about the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation and our school-building project in Marial Bai, or for more about Dave and Valentino's recent trip to Sudan, please visit www.valentinoachakdeng.org.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Valentino
• Achak
• Deng
• Dave
• Eggers
• What
• is
• the
• Sudan
• Lost
• Boy
• McSweeney's

[Mambogyrl]

Valentino! You did it! Not only your father's family but ALSO your Kakuma family must be incredibly proud of you. I was so happy to hear Moses and Maria are also successful. Blessings to you, your family & South Sudan!

[UsmanChicago]

wonderful book. I grew up in Kenya and Tanzania, and now live in the states. I felt a particular closeness to this story as I grew up with a few Dinka friends who were trying to stay away from the war. How wonderful that Achak has been reunited with his family.

[flaps1000]

Achak, just read your book. Was the best book I have read for a long time. The book really shows the bad things that human beings can do to one another, but the acts of kindness fro. People wh had nothing are an inspiration. You are also a credit to Sudan and e human race, that you can go through what you did, and still be a decent kind person. Thank you for telling your amazing story. Sudan really does need good people like you.

[tubulist]

The book does not clarify what happened to your headaches.

[Manmaxanthony]

Proud of u achak.

[kwame033]

i have almost finished your book, i just cannot stop reading... very inspiring

[Adeng91]

I am so happy for you good job God bless

[mazedull]

Just finished the book last night and held off seeing and hearing Achak on video until the book was completed. Your story brought me many tears...both of sadness and joy! You are truly and inspiration Achak! May God continue to bless you, your family, and the work you do to bring attention to the plight of the Dinka and refugees of Africa. Dɔɔr abë tɔ kennë yïn!!!

Eggers' story would make a great movie!!!

[missODiva]

I am currently reading the book and I still have to read about something like 20%. Achak your story truly touched my heart. I am so happy your parents are still alive and that I just saw you walking in your village next to them. And I really admire you for doing the good things that I am finding out now, the school projects and such. I wish you a lot of love, support and happiness in your life

[HUJoey]

i just finished the book, and yes I will definitly have to but it up there with one of my favorite books I have read. Valintino has had to put up with so much. If you read this go after Maria. She seems like a very sweet girl. And I cannot express how much my heart hurt when I read that Tabitha died. I am so sorry to hear of this. You are my hero achek. U are a great insiration to us all

[livras02]

The book was wonderful thank you for putting a face to all the countless refugees from the civil war in Sudan. We've all repeatedly seen images of people living on the run and in constant fear but as soon as the TV set is switched off we forget. Uou put us in your shoes and i must say you have changed my life. I congratulate you for taking it a step further and developing education in your homeland. My heart is with the people of Sudan i pray peace will always prevail. All the best Achak.

[Larssos]

I am reading the book now and so far, it's one of the most impressive, human books I've read. Thank you, Valentino, for telling us your story and inspire us to open our eyes more often to people who need help.