Meet Changemakers from LUV’s Programs!
As the school year begins, we are reminded of the profound impact education has on shaping futures and transforming lives.
For changemakers like Elkanah Dut Deng, his journey from hardship to hope is a testament to the transformative power of education and the resilience of the human spirit.
In South Sudan, where 70% of school age children do not have access to schools, education has grown as LUV’s largest trafficking prevention model because it provides kids facing vulnerabilities a safe place to grow intellectually, spiritually, physically (as they receive nutritious meals and medical services) and sets them on a path to become empowered agents of change in their own lives and communities.
Did you know?
Education has been proven to be a critical tool in reducing key factors that make someone vulnerable to the horrors of human trafficking. According to UNESCO, if all students in low-income countries had just basic reading skills (nothing else), an estimated 171 million people could escape extreme poverty.
This is why each year of education reduces the risk of conflict by around 20% and every year of secondary education reduces the likelihood of marrying as a child before the age of 18.
Elkanah’s Story:
Elkanah’s early life was marked by tragedy and hardship. His father, a soldier, was killed on the front line in the decades long war between Sudan and South Sudan. During the reign of terror by the Janjaweed militia group, Elkanah and his mother were forced to flee into the forest when their village was raided.
The militia then set the forest on fire to murder and capture children and women as they escaped the flames. Tragically, his mother, weakened by illness, was unable to escape and was killed, while nine-year old Elkanah was taken captive.
After spending two years surviving the horrors of trafficking in northern Sudan, he managed to escape with the help of an elderly woman who knew his family. She guided him back to South Sudan and cared for him as her own. It was then that Elkanah’s life took a transformative turn. While foraging for food in the forest, he encountered our founding indigenous director, James Lual Atak from New Life Ministry (NLM), who was teaching under the trees and Elkanah was invited to join in.
The Power of Education:
Even though Elkanah was around the age of twelve, education was a new concept to him. However, with his first pencil and book, he realized the immense promise it held for his future.
With the support of LUV’s protection, education, and economic opportunities, Elkanah began to uncover his true potential. He was one of the first boys protected in our safe-house program, the first to graduate high school in 2016, and would become one of the first alumni to pursue a university degree through a scholarship from LUV. He studied Human Resource Management at the Catholic University in Juba and graduated in 2022.
It was then that Elkanah returned to his roots, becoming a teacher at New Life Ministry. He now imparts wisdom on English literature, grammar, and citizenship to the next generation of changemakers. Beyond academia, Elkanah’s poetry was showcased during last year’s celebration ceremony. [Read the full poem here]
Elkanah’s journey is a testament to the incredible work of our partners in South Sudan — and next month you have the opportunity to meet him and other changemakers!
Don’t miss the chance to meet Elkanah and other LUV alumni, October 24th!
When you become a part of The LUV Collective (TLC), our monthly giving program, you receive special access to engaging conversations with leaders from around the globe in LUV’s anti-trafficking network. During our exclusive TLC Virtual Event this fall, members will hear Elkanah and others share about their experience as students and leaders in LUV’s network.
Sign-up today: https://liftupthevulnerable.networkforgood.com/projects/111180-luv-collective
Your generous one-time or monthly gift will equip local changemakers, address root causes of exploitation, and grow hope and resiliency in war-torn communities.