University of the Cumberlands Cross Country and Track standout Aleer Duot (Phoenix, AZ) was invited to Rowan County Middle School in Morehead, KY on Wednesday, October 3^rd to share his motivational story of his struggles and survival in his homeland country of Sudan, Africa.

The students have currently been studying the country of Sudan and viewed the photographic exhibition, “Sudan:  The Land and the People,” at the Kentucky Folk Art Center in Morehead, KY last month. With some knowledge of the country, all of the students were eager to hear Aleer speak.

 With nearly 700 students in attendance, Aleer was introduced and greeted with a deafening applause and a standing ovation. Aleer took his place at the center of the gymnasium and began to tell his story.

At the age of four, Aleer and roughly 26,000 other southern Sudanese boys were forced from their villages by gunfire from the northern Sudan government and other rebellious groups. They left their homes to flee to safety, not knowing whether anyone else in their family had survived. They trekked for two months across Sudan to the safety of Ethiopia. More than half of the boys died on the treacherous journey from hunger, disease, dehydration, and gunfire.

In Ethiopia, they spent three years in various refugee camps until they were once again forced away in 1991 by more gunfire and violence. Chased by Ethiopian government tanks and armed militia, the boys frantically tried to cross the dangerous Gilo River. “There were not enough boats for everyone,” remembers Aleer. “Many of us did not know how to swim, but it was either jump in and try, or die from gunfire.” The water currents carried many young boys away, while others were attacked by crocodiles.

Aleer and what remained of the group finally arrived in Kenya, where he remained at a refuge camp for eight years. In 2000 at the age of sixteen, he received news that he had been selected to resettle with an American family in Phoenix, Arizona. Once he made it to the United States, Aleer was enrolled in high school and began running Cross Country and Track. He went on to run at a junior college in Phoenix, where his team won Nationals both years. Aleer was then recruited to run for the University of the Cumberlands, where he is currently a senior and majoring in History.

The middle school crowd listened intently to Aleer’s story and once again greeted him with applause and a standing ovation at the conclusion of his speech. He ended his presentation by saying, “In America you are so blessed to have the opportunity to wake up without fear.” He also touched many hearts during his speech by saying, “I started running for my life. Now I run for my education.”

Aleer has spoken at numerous events over the years and shared his exceptionally moving story. However, he was extremely passionate when he commented on Wednesday’s presentation. “It is so great to see such young individuals interested in learning about the rest of the world. Not often do you hear of young students studying of anything other than their own country’s history. By knowing what is going on with the rest of the world is the first step in helping to make a difference.”

Article provided by Kim Hamby, University of the Cumberlands Sports Information Student Assistant