Adier M. Deng
Introduction:
I am Adier Deng, a native of the republic of South Sudan and a resident of Kent County, Michigan. I am one of the Lost Boys/Lost Girls of South Sudan and a professional speaker. I have given speeches to several organizations and schools across the United States. I was forced out of my village in S. Sudan at gun point. I trekked over 2,500 miles for safety on bare foot and lived in a refugee camp for 8 years.Education:
I undertook my studies in Grand Rapids, Michigan and San Francisco, California. I have received numerous awards including the 2002 Presidential Education Achievement Award, and a prestigious award from the Help Hospitalized Veterans, USA. I earned my Master’s Degree in Economics and Strategic Management from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hills, California, and expecting a second master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint. I am also expecting my doctorate degree. In 2007, I received my Bachelor’s degree in political science from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My current work at Bethany Christian Services, and past work with the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Youth Science Institute, and as a Congressional intern for the United States Senate in Washington, DC has given me a broad level of experience that allows me to communicate effectively with individuals of all socioeconomic and racial strata. In my Human Rights position, I was responsible for the administrative aspect of human trafficking, social justice, peace and violence, death penalty, hunger, environment, and transitional justice. I am interested in all aspects of international affairs and development.Authorship/Publications: Coming Soon!
My memoir:
I was born in a village in what is now South Sudan, but at age five I and many of my family were forced to flee our homes due to the civil war between North and South Sudan. Thousands of Sudanese refugees, like me, sought refuge in Ethiopia first, but were then forced to flee to a refugee camp in Kenya. I was forced out of my village at gun point. I trekked over 2,500 miles for safety on bare foot and lived in a refugee camp for 8 years. Finally, after eight long years in the refugee camp, I heard the news that I would be resettled in the United States.At age fifteen, I was resettled in Grand Rapids, Michigan and placed with a foster family, along with 3800 other Sudanese children who were resettled in various parts of the U.S. Prior to moving the U.S. I had little knowledge about this country. My move here was “a culture shock” to me. One of the biggest adjustments came from being independent for most of my life, and then transitioning to living in a family system with rules and expectations. The transition was not easy, but even now, over a decade after my transition to Independent Living, I still talk to and visit my foster family. For me “nothing has changed” between my foster family and I since I moved out on my own after high school.
In addition to adjusting to family life, I was daily learning new things such as how to use the bus system to learning a new language. While most high school students go to school and go home, I went to school, tutoring, ESL classes, and worked full time at a gas station. I was “thirsty” for school and curious to learn. Unlike so many teenagers in this country who take school for granted, I recognized school for what it was; a great privilege and gift. Eventually, my hard work paid off because I knew English by the time I completed high school. This love for learning has stayed with me till today!
Currently, I am working at Bethany Christian Services in their Refugee Employment program; additionally, I teach US Laws at the Joint Cultural Orientation and consults with members of the community on business development, housing, and transitional justice issues. Prior to Bethany Christian Service, I was a human rights officer with the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, a manager at Price Chopper, an employment specialist at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, a teacher at Youth Science Institute, and as a legislative intern for the United States Senate in Washington, DC. My varied work has given me a broad level of experience that allows me to communicate effectively with individuals of all socioeconomic and racial strata.
I have spent seven years of my life working in the non-profit world, and have a heart for immigrants and refugees. In the future, I would like to open up a private law practice with a focus on immigration law and transitional justice. In spite of a difficult beginning to my life, I have overcome many obstacles. I attributes this success to my self-confidence and resilience. I am focused and committed to the goals that I want to accomplish, and I achieve these goals with discipline and perseverance one step at a time.
United Nations (U.N.) Affiliate :
I am a product of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR). This is so because I was rescued by the United Nations since the war broke out in Sudan. I grew up in a UNHCR run camp in Kakuma, Kenya and I started learning through UNICEF funded program. Given my background, I am deeply passionate around the issues of inequality, transitional injustices relating to poverty and development around the world. I have a message to share with the world on behalf of the forgotten war victims and I see that as my primary role along with supporting and evolving the mission and its purpose. I see myself as the heart and soul of hope.My world was shaken as a young boy when I experienced horrific events of civil wars, genocide, and massacres in the midst 1990s. My heart was torn apart and, unknowingly, my world changed forever. Several years later after spending 8 years as a refugee in Kenya, I moved to the United States as part of the so called “Lost Boys & Girls of Sudan” and the call within became too loud to ignore and I was compelled to take action. From that, I went to school to learn about the world affairs and conflict resolution.
I came to Grand Rapids, Michigan in the early 2000s to settle and to go to school. While in school, I began working with youth choir at the Church writing and recording music. That was the beginning of my love and calling to serve others, particularly the disadvantaged. I went on to receive a BA in Political Science from Aquinas College, an MPA in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and later an MBA in Economics and Strategic Management from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, California. I have also went on to earn my doctorate degree. These studies have deepened my desire and commitment to a career in public and social services.
I believe we all have a shared responsibility to humanity to restore hope, to help wipe tears, and to relieve some of the pain and the suffering in the world. I feel blessed to be on this path with others who inspire me every day the greatest inspiration, of course, being the rural poor in South Sudan who live in abhorrent abject poverty with such dignity and grace.
As Advocate:
After completing my graduate studies, I started working for a broad range of companies and organizations including Catholic Charities, the Diocese of Kansas City-St-Joseph, Bethany Christian Services, Youth Science Institute, and interned for the United States Senate in Washington DC. All offered invaluable learning opportunities while on this life-long journey. Drawing on my years of experience in nonprofit management, human rights advocacy and community relations, my time, energy and heart are now focused on advocating on behalf of the war victims.#AMD##