The news that Giel Malual and John Kuei have walked 900 miles from Dungeness to John O’Groats to raise money for new schools for Sudan brings a heartfelt cheer to a wintry landscape and gives a lie to the myth that the UK is not a welcoming place to strangers.
900 miles is a considerable distance to cover in the best of weathers. To take on such a challenge in the winter and complete it in 33 days is an outstanding achievement. Giel talks about being inundated with messages of support, offers of hot food and accommodation.
“All the houses that we slept in, all the welcome that we were given, all the warmth and support, the cheers and the encouragement that we have received, it has been overwhelming.’’
Malual came from South Sudan to London at the age of 16. The second Sudanese civil war, from 1983 to 2005, killed an estimated two million people, with widespread documentation of famine and atrocities. Giel was granted leave to remain. He now lives in London and is studying Law at the University of Bedfordshire. Up to 11 million Sudanese are estimated to have been displaced by the conflict.
Negativity towards immigrants is from a minority
Malual said this about the mood of the country he encountered on his walk:
“We hear a lot of negativity from a loud minority in this country. I believe it’s not what truly represents the British public, because we have been accommodated by people from all cultures, races and backgrounds.
“Of course, with the political dynamic going on in the country, we thought people may have some reservations about us. But we have seen for ourselves there’s nothing to actually fear.”
The two friends had originally aimed to raise £35,000 to open a school at the Sudanese refugee camp in Chad; having raised almost £90,000 they now hope to build several schools.
When asked why walk in winter, Malual stated:
“Deciding to do this in winter was to create awareness and also put myself in the shoes of day-to-day Sudanese struggles, how hard it is for them to survive and walk hundreds of miles to find safety.’’
Will of the people – compassion, kindness and generosity
Guel and John have been supported by the Asylum Speakers organisation. Gulwali Passerlay, an Afghan refugee and public speaker who helped provide logistical organisation for the walk said:
“The rightwing politicians keep saying they know the will of the people. But the will of the people we’ve seen has been very different. In the last 900 miles we’ve seen nothing but compassion, kindness and generosity. They’ve raised £90,000 in just one month. They’ve seen more of Britain than some of these racist politicians who claim to represent the people. They’ve been through so many cities, towns and villages and met so many people.”
Bylines Scotland commends the efforts of Giel, John and Gulwali. We look forward to hearing about the schools they will build and the lives they will change through their efforts and commitment to their communities here in Britain, in Chad and in Sudan. More details of the challenges Giel and John faced are documented on their Facebook posts and can be viewed here.
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