Imagine you’re a young boy - maybe three or four - separated from your family by civil war and forced to walk over a 1000 miles in search of safe refuge with little food or water and no protection from wild animals and enemy soldiers. To most of us, it is unimaginable, but for "The Lost Boys of Sudan," it was reality.

Joan Hecht is the award winning author of "The Journey of the Lost Boys," founder and President of "Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan," and the Chair of Education for The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan: The National Network, based in Washington, DC.

Ms. Hecht first met the Lost Boys in 2001, when approximately 3800 were granted refugee status in the United States, 150 of whom resettled in Jacksonville, FL.  At that time, most had never used electricity or running water and needed instruction in the most basic tasks of everyday life, such as how to cross the street at a red light, how to eat with a fork and knife, etc.

Due to her personal relationship with the Lost Boys, Ms. Hecht is able to tell their story in a unique and compelling manner that leaves no heart untouched.   It is an amazing story of survival, diversity, love and the determination of an everyday American woman to make a difference.

*Depending on their work and school schedules, one of the Lost Boys generally accompanies Ms. Hecht when she lectures, but this must be determined closer to the scheduled event date.

In recognition of her work with the Lost Boys Ms. Hecht received the "2007 Local Heroes Award" from Bank of America, the "Daily Points of Light Award," from the National Points of Light Foundation and "The Points of Light Award" from Florida governor, Charlie Crist.  In 2008, she was awarded the "The Florida Sunshine State TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Presidents Award" and was the First recipient of the "2009 Hands Across the Water International Outreach Award" from Hands On Jacksonville.  Ms. Hecht and her family, along with Jacksonville Lost Boys, were featured in the November issue of Disney’s Family Fun Magazine.

Ms. Hecht’s book, The Journey of the Lost Boys, was awarded "First Place in Education" at the International POW! (Promoting Outstanding Writers) Book Awards, earning her the title "2005 Author of the Year."

"…The recent Lost Boys of Sudan presentation at our University, headed by Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan founder, Joan Hecht, was one of the most academically enlightening programs ever to hit our campus. The program so eloquently placed a face on the civil war that our world should never have allowed to happen. Because of this event many on our campus, including some of my colleagues, are now taking action. We sincerely thank Joan Hecht and "the Lost Boys," for this wonderful and enlightening presentation."

Kamele "Oupa" Seane
University of North Florida
Director, Intercultural Center for PEACE

For more information, please visit: www.allianceforthelostboys.com

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