The story of the Lost Boys of Sudan is one that provides the world with many examples of social interaction, some being violent and others being inspirational. Their journey from Sudan to Ethiopia and Kenya, then on to the United States for a better life for themselves and their families gives an insight into how certain cultures deal with and overcome adversity. Culture is the complex system of meaning and behavior that defines the way of life for a given group or society, in the case of the Lost Boys, the culture of the people of Sudan and the American society are analyzed. How the boys were able to continue on without their families to show them the way is almost a miracle. Over outstanding odds, the boys were able to prevail and
The Lost Boys were gathered together and those who agreed were sent to America to start a new life and possibly better their old lives. For some, the cultural shock would be too much for them causing their crossover to western culture to be unsuccessful. For others, the cultural diversity and rare opportunity that was in their new homeland was extremely beneficial. Lost Boys were scattered throughout the United States and were given the opportunity to seek happiness for themselves, and for some, their families which they had not seen since fleeing Sudan. Many of the boys, which have now grown up to be men, searched for and received jobs and some even gained high school and college degrees while in the United States. Much of the money earned by the lost boys went to finding their families, or even straight back to Africa for the families themselves. It is a sense of pride amongst the Lost Boys to work hard and better their situation and that of their country. Groups of the boys attempted to raise awareness of the situation in Sudan. The government recognized the Lost Boys of Sudan as a distinct group which gave them certain political opportunities. Although the lost boys were spread throughout the country, they were still able to come together and discuss many issues that they needed to deal with to better their situation in America, and the situation of their family and home in Sudan. Many of the Sudanese men began to lose sight of