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When Simon Madhol Atem was seven years old, he was visiting his uncle’s village when it came under attack. As they ran for cover, his uncle was killed, and Atem found himself running alone — at least, at first — then eventually with thousands of other “Lost Boys” of Sudan who were forced to flee their homes. It was the last time he saw any member of his family.
Atem and the other Lost Boys walked for months trying to seek refuge. They walked to Ethiopia, back to Sudan and then to Kenya with no food, water or clothing. “I survived on fruit and dead animals,” says Atem, now a Grade 12 student at Father Lacombe High School. “Many people died on the way.”
Few people can imagine such atrocities, let alone live to tell the tale. And yet, Atem is not bitter or vengeful after his experience. Even after spending years at refugee camps, when Atem was granted settlement to Canada and arrived in Winnipeg in 2003, he wasted no time trying to help make peace in Sudan.
While adjusting to Canada — “The winter weather was shocking!” he says — Atem participated as a speaker at many peacemaking and children’s rights events, and volunteered with Youcan (Youth Canada Association). In 2006, he moved to Calgary and began a fundraiser to build a school in his home village of Aweng. “Simon’s Project” involves him and his classmates hosting coffee house events and doing other work to raise the necessary money.
“Simon has truly united our culturally diverse population for a purposeful social justice cause,” says Father Lacombe vice-principal Ralene Goldade. “His heartfelt message about children’s rights, restorative justice, conflict resolution and peace-building is remarkable. He has planted the seed for us to grow as humans . . . taking responsibility, beyond ourselves, for those around the world.”
For Atem, the motivation is simple. “People are desperate and need to rebuild,” he says of the current post-civil war situation in Sudan. “They need food, clean water, schools — everything. The war that remains now is anger and disease.”
He hopes to return to Sudan to help build the school this summer. And while he plans to see his mother and siblings again, his primary impetus is not personal gain, but to prevent other children from having experiences such as his own. “The life I have lived was very hard,” Atem says. “Kids shouldn’t have to go through that.”
Atem hopes his work will help “every child to succeed in school and enjoy childhood,” and ultimately he hopes all children, not just those in Sudan, can live happily. His school project is only the first of many. “I want to do this for my whole life and set up schools around the world,” he says with conviction. It is no wonder his Sudanese name, Madhol, means “the way.” He is clearly leading the way to a more peaceful world.
Abbi M. Singh
For inspiring others with his young-at-heart effort
Karo
For being pro bono pros
Parent Support Association
For its unique contribution to keeping parents' sanity
Dr. Maria Eriksen
For giving, and giving, and giving
MEOW Foundation
For doing the most with the least
Peter Mauro
For sharing a love of music
The Pumphouse Theatres Society
For cultivating the arts
Paul Hagel
For being on board
The Alexandra Community Health Centre
For building a healthier community
Momentum
For providing a caring push
Child & Youth Friendly Calgary
For inspiring the next generation of A-Listers
Donna Kreese
For coordinating volunteers
First Calgary Savings
For being a small-but-mighty corporate leader
Jack Redekop
For Making the Family Leisure Centre a model of community-based sustainability
Sharon Moore
For focusing on people, not programs
Visitor
i went to school with simon
Submitted 48 weeks 4 days ago
i went to school with simon and no one can even imagine how much of an insperation he was and will continue to be fllf simons project rocks
admin
Simon Madhol Atem and Father Lacombe High School
Submitted 3 years 9 weeks ago
Simon Madhol Atem and Father Lacombe High School
It is great to see people like you students with your teachers and the whole Father Lacombe High School who are committed to change the lives of the Sudan Civil War survivors with tirelessly efforts. I came from the town called Aweng in Twic County in Southern Sudan with Simon Madhol Atem. I went to Ethiopia with Simon in the same year. I fled back to Sudan with him in the same year of 1991 when the government of Ethiopia was over thrown. I was with Simon in refugee camps in Kenya, cook and eat together, sleep in one compound, and came to Canada after one another. The long road Simon walked is unprecedented and I shared it with him. I was little older than Simon by 1987 when I and Simon went to Ethiopia. I, Simon and other young boys by then suffered so many difficulties that are unimaginable till today.
Simon inspired me with his ambition and hard work to helping other children. Simon’s ambition makes me recalled the difficulties I had suffered with him which are our pathways. Simon's have been telling me that he has to do something for our people in Aweng town and that “something” Simon dedicated to is my dream as well. I encourage Siomn with no doubt to keep pushing himself with hard work and there will for sure people outside there like Father Lacombe High School who would like to help too.
My encouragement is constant and I am glad that Father Lacombe High School is behind Simon. I went to Aweng town for two months. I spent one month and three weeks with my family. It is unbelievable family reunion after 21 years and 8 months of separation since 1987. I made sure to spent sometimes with my family and sometimes teaching in Aweng Primary School. Aweng Primary School is the school that I went to in 1980s before I fled for Ethiopia. I started under a tree at Aweng Primary School but other children should not go the same path when Aweng sons and daughters are in a land of opportunities called Canada where people are always ready to help.
I support Simon to continue his dream and thank Father Lacombe High School, all students who are everyday supporting Simon for social justice, the teachers who are day and night think of helping Simon to help children in my town Aweng and other volunteers who dedicated not only their times but importantly their hearts and energy to serving for children in Aweng town. I am currently a student at the University of Carleton in Ottawa Ontario. I am double majoring in Human Rights and Law (concentration in Law, Policy and Government). I have two years Law Clerk diploma from Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. I finished my high school in London, Ontario too. Canada is a land of opportunities where Simon follows his dream with your tireless support. Your efforts will make different for Aweng children in Southern Sudan and here in Canada and I share it with you.
Andrew Ring Juk Chom
Contact: Home: 613.260.8678
Email: andrewchom@yahoo.com
admin
Simon Madhol Atem and Father Lacombe Hihg School
Submitted 3 years 9 weeks ago
Simon Madhol Atem and Father Lacombe High School
It is great to see people like you students with your teachers and the whole Father Lacombe High School who are committed to change the lives of the Sudan Civil War survivors with tirelessly efforts. I came from the town called Aweng in Twic County in Southern Sudan with Simon Madhol Atem. I went to Ethiopia with Simon in the same year. I fled back to Sudan with him in the same year of 1991 when the government of Ethiopia was over thrown. I was with Simon in refugee camps in Kenya, cook and eat together, sleep in one compound, and came to Canada after one another. The long road Simon walked is unprecedented and I shared it with him. I was little older than Simon by 1987 when I and Simon went to Ethiopia. I, Simon and other young boys by then suffered so many difficulties that are unimaginable till today.
Simon inspired me with his ambition and hard work to helping other children. Simon’s ambition makes me recalled the difficulties I had suffered with him which are our pathways. Simon's have been telling me that he has to do something for our people in Aweng town and that “something” Simon dedicated to is my dream as well. I encourage Siomn with no doubt to keep pushing himself with hard work and there will for sure people outside there like Father Lacombe High School who would like to help too.
My encouragement is constant and I am glad that Father Lacombe High School is behind Simon. I went to Aweng town for two months. I spent one month and three weeks with my family. It is unbelievable family reunion after 21 years and 8 months of separation since 1987. I made sure to spent sometimes with my family and sometimes teaching in Aweng Primary School. Aweng Primary School is the school that I went to in 1980s before I fled for Ethiopia. I started under a tree at Aweng Primary School but other children should not go the same path when Aweng sons and daughters are in a land of opportunities called Canada where people are always ready to help.
I support Simon to continue his dream and thank Father Lacombe High School, all students who are everyday supporting Simon for social justice, the teachers who are day and night think of helping Simon to help children in my town Aweng and other volunteers who dedicated not only their times but importantly their hearts and energy to serving for children in Aweng town. I am currently a student at the University of Carleton in Ottawa Ontario. I am double majoring in Human Rights and Law (concentration in Law, Policy and Government). I have two years Law Clerk diploma from Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. I finished my high school in London, Ontario too. Canada is a land of opportunities where Simon follows his dream with your tireless support. Your efforts will make different for Aweng children in Southern Sudan and here in Canada and I share it with you.
Andrew Ring Juk Chom
Contact: Home: 613.260.8678
Email: andrewchom@yahoo.com
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