Juanis K. Lual has not returned to Sudan since he was 11 years old. After he graduates in December, he’ll go there to begin helping rebuild the communities ravaged by decades of civil war.

Juanis K. Lual is looking forward to returning to his homeland in southeastern Sudan after he graduates in December.

Now 24, the political science major has not been home for 13 years because of the devastation more than 40 years of civil war has had on Sudan. He will return home as a college graduate and the founder of the three-year-old Ngaathaje Development Project (NDP). “Ngaathaje,” is a phrase spoken among the Nuer people of southern Sudan that means “I hope and I believe.”

At one point, more than 60,000 people lived in the Wanding area of southeastern Sudan, but now its population is about 4,000, according to Lual. Gradually, its citizens are returning. NDP’s mission is to help rebuild the communities in southeastern Sudan through education, health and economic development. The six-week, fact-finding trip Lual will take after graduation will help him to determine how NDP can best do that. “Right now, because there is little structure, people fear that there is nothing there for their children or themselves.”

As he leads these efforts, he encourages others to also be involved. “We need resources, including people to join the team. Whatever skills you have, bring it.”

Assistant Professor of African and African American Studies Derrick Hudson, who chair’s NDP’s board, is offering guidance. “I hope I can give him a platform to tell the story to as many people as possible. I want to watch him grow as a leader and see what’s going to happen when he transforms his home. Africa really needs good leaders with integrity, who care about people. He has the initial ingredients. We just need to grow it.”

Lual’s leadership skills include supporting other efforts to help Sudan. Members of NDP will participate in the Walk for Sudan on Oct. 18 at the west side of Cherry Creek State Park. The event is sponsored by the Nuba Water Project and raises funds and awareness to end the water crisis in Sudan.

Minoring in African and African American studies, Lual met Hudson last spring when he took Hudson’s course, “Politics and Black People.” They started talking then and the discussions continue.

“I’m excited as an educator,” Hudson says.” As a professor, I’ve had fair-weather students. They are excited about things for a class, and then they are gone.”

Not Lual. He has maintained his enthusiasm for his goals, and even for learning. “I love school. I love learning. I need to gain knowledge, not just to help myself, the world, the people,” says Lual, who didn’t have a stable educational environment until he was about 12 and resettled in an Ethiopian refugee camp with his extended family.

Hudson will not be joining Lual on the trip in December, but says that other board members will, as Lual can’t do it alone. “Spiritually and psychologically, he will need others there to support him.”

Lual’s other plans after graduation include studying for the LSAT, as he intends to go to law school.

“He is remarkable for what he’s doing at such a young age. He’s a symbol that African leadership is getting younger and younger,” Hudson adds.