Fundraiser at Chicago Sinai Congregation

This summer, the Chicago Sinai Congregation hosted a fundraiser for ACDA’s educational efforts. ACDA members from Illinois and neighboring states joined the congregation and community for this event. ACDA had the opportunity to award the Chicago youth who have been supporting Pongborong Primary School during the last three years.

We awarded Eliza Mozer of Chicago Sinai Congregation the 2009 Award of Distinguished Service and Mack Julion of The Faith Community of Saint Sabina an Award Of Appreciation. The students of the Chicago Jewish Day School were also among the honorees, receiving an Award of Appreciation. It was wonderful to be able to honor and thank these young people for their support of Pongborong Primary School and the inspiration they spark among their peers and in their communities.

ACDA Vice President John Maluk Yak, who flew from Philadelphia, PA to attend this event, announced a donation of $10,000 from an anonymous donor, which will be followed by an additional $15,000 at the end of the year. Jan Cassidy, whose family hosted two of our ACDA members—Maketh Bul Mabior and Duot Angok Aguer—when they arrived in Chicago in 2001, generously donated $1000. The Northern Trust Charitable Giving Program at the Chicago Community Foundation donated $3000. ACDA is grateful for these donations to support Pongborong Primary School.

This event would have not been possible without the support of Chicago’s most authentic African cuisine restaurant, The Ethiopian Diamond located on the North Shore in Roger’s Park, which donated the food for the event. ACDA also wishes to thank the following program staff persons who helped made the Benefit a grand success: Susan Solomon, Deng Akoi Jurkuch, Karen Lilly Mozer, Carol Yanowitz (Miller), Lynda Holiday Lawrence, John Mading Dut, Maketh Bul Mabior, John Deng Ayiel, Seena Jimjimo, Maliet Angok Aguer, Kirsten Putahl, Brandi Reissenweber, Catherine Mungai, Bul Deng Bul, Barbara Rose, and Peter Magai Bul.

Please stay tuned for our upcoming announcement about the ACDA 2009-2010 trip to Sudan.

Upcoming Event: Support Pongborong Primary School

Join the Ayual Community Development Association, the Chicago Sinai Congregation, and the Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant in a fundraising event to support Pongborong Primary School in Southern Sudan.

Saturday, 1 August 2009
2:00-4:00 pm

Chicago Sinai Congregation
15 W Delaware Place
Chicago, IL 60610

Events include:

• Lost Boys of Sudan will share their inspiring testimonies about their long journey and current efforts in rebuilding Southern Sudan
  
• recognition of the Chicago youth who have raised thousands of dollars to support Pongborong Primary School
  
• silent auction
  
• reception

All are welcome! There is no cost, but donations to ACDA to support Pongborong Primary School are welcome. Donations will go toward:

• teachers' monthly stipends ($150 each)
  
• permanent classrooms for roughly 50 students ($5000 each)
  
• student uniforms ($15 each)
  
• teacher uniforms ($30 each)
  
• desks seating 3-4 students ($30 each)

Space is limited. Please reserve your tickets now by email or phone. Contact: Peter Magai Bul at petergai@hotmail.com or 773-306-3983.

For more information, visit www.pongborong.org or www.aycda.org

Community Celebrates the Life of an Elder

The Ayuaal Community joyously celebrates the life of our beloved community elder, Uncle Dengdit de Lueth-Kethakoy who passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at around 5:00pm. Uncle William Deng Lueth, as he was often called, was born in 1906. His generation witnessed the historic war between Kongor and Ayuaal around 1918-1920. His generation, named Chol Ayuaal, symbolizes the need to fill the gaps that the losses of this war created.

Ayuaal Community elders testify that only two other individuals of that generation remain alive: Atem-Lonhdit de Adoor and Adoor Juach Loi. His age mates were Joh Deng Bior and Akoi-Lonhdit de Jurkuch. Deng Lueth was a husband of three wives: Ayak Marier, Akoi Yuang Bul and Kuei Akol Chol. He was blessed with ten children. Ajoh, Mayen, Makuol, and Adol with his first wife Ayak. Akuien and Agau with his second wife Akoi. Atong, Adit, Bol, and Khot with his third wife Kuei.

Over 800 community members came to celebrate his life and witness his funeral rights. Many stayed at his home for six days formulating ritual functions, singing ululation, and joyously dancing to congratulate him for his wonderful efforts on Earth and to say good by to him with thankful hearts. Many contributed to support the celebration. Jurkuch Barach Jurkuch offered funds and transportation in honor of the deceased. In all, community members donated cash, sorghum, oil, goats, bulls, and drinks.

In his 103 years, Deng Lueth never left home for refuge. He survived all the famines, wars, and tribal conflicts that have plagued the Ayuaal community. When disaster was at its most severe destroying Bor in 1992, Deng Lueth ventured only as far as Pajook—a neighboring village.

Deng Lueth was known for his excellent public speaking and critical thinking, his charismatic leadership, and quick response to any situation. He was known to be giving and valued peace and unity. He contributed a great deal to the community and was one of the founders of the Wangulei Court Centre in 1972. He also served as Assistant Commissioner of Kongor Division (now Twic East County) in 1989. He ruled as sub-chief of Acath Community and was promoted as an elder of the Ayuaal Community as a whole.

Deng Lueth will be remembered for his sweet tongue, invigorating words, and his love and brightness among others in the community. Before his death, he called a meeting to spread blessings to his family members and officially announce that his death was near. He declared his remaining first son, Makuol Deng Lueth, would continue his leadership.

Deng Lueth will always be a community role model, since he is alive in his words, vision, and deeds.

Celebrate Sudanese Women This Mother's Day

The Sudanese Community Center is celebrating the Sudanese women of Illinois this mother's day. Join them for a meal to celebrate their accomplishments. Special guests include the real life heroes of the acclaimed film Hotel Rwanda, Paul and Tatianna Rusesabagina. Paul and Tatianna helped to save the lives of over 1,2000 people during the Rwandan genocide.

Sunday, May 10th
5:00 PM
America's Best Inn
675 W. Roosevelt Road -- Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

To attend RSVP to Sean@SudaneseCommunityCenter.org

PPS Students Receive Uniforms

A team of ACDA members recently traveled to Southern Sudan and delivered school uniforms for over 400 students and 14 teachers at Pongborong Primary School. Uniforms are important to the school as they identify those affiliated with the school and help promote education within the village.

We couldn't have done this without the help of the young people of Chicago. Eliza Mozer, a 13 year old elementary school student from the Chicago Sinai Congregation, raised nearly $8,000 for ACDA’s Pongborong Primary School as a Mitzvah project for her Bat Mitzvah. Her fundraising success inspired and encouraged children age 4 to 10 at the Chicago Jewish Day School to raise $1,000 for PPS. They also wrote letters to the PPS students, which were delivered along with the uniforms. Students from Jones Prep College also raised more than $300.

This delivery comes on the heels of earlier contributions from friends in Seattle, WA and ACDA Lost Boys who traveled to Sudan in December of 2008 and brought bicycles for PPS teachers to commute to school, cooking pots for PPS cooks, and school supplies.

Recent Trip to Wangulei

Friends of ACDA recently returned from Wangulei, Southern Sudan. For details and photos of their trip visit: www.bike4sudan.com. Click on "Visit to Sudan Blog."