Sudan Success Story

March 31, 2007 - 11:09 AM by

The problem of Sudanese refugees fleeing to Israel to escape Darfur’s genocide has garnered press attention of late and an Israeli watchdog group has protested government policy of jailing refugees upon arrival.

No politics here for the moment. However, a wee illustration of how, in some cases, refugees are absorbed into Israeli society and flourish.

“T” fled the Darfur, Sudan genocide two years ago and sought refuge in Israel. When he came through the Egyptian border, he was imprisoned for being an illegal alien. After his release he went to Yemin Ord youth village near Haifa – an institution that houses mostly new immigrants from different countries.

Two months after arriving to the youth village he joined science classes and became an outstanding student. “One evening he was walking around the school and by chance saw a light on in the science lab,” said Uri Levav, his physics teacher.

He went inside and caught “the robot bug”. He then joined a group working towards an international robotics competition and became very active. Apparently very charismatic, T became the informal spokesman and leader of the group. He speaks Hebrew fluently, has a command of English and “plays nice” with peers.

“With no background in programming or robotics, his achievements are extraordinarily impressive. I take off my hat to him. He has made an enormous leap,” said the physics teacher.

How’d they do in competition? Fourth place which won’t take them to the finals in Atlanta. Never mind. There’s always next year.

Tags: • Category: A New Reality, Life, Politics 

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One Comment on Sudan Success Story

  1. Refugee photography | ISRAELITY on Thu, Jan 29th 2009 2:18 PM

    2. [...] late 2006, an estimated 10,000 African refugees and asylum seekers have arrived in Israel, crossing the border with Egypt on foot. After a long period of not knowing what to do with these people, several governmental [...]

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