Please attend the presentation if you can, and comment here on what you learned from Mr. Okello.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Obang Okello
Please attend the presentation if you can, and comment here on what you learned from Mr. Okello.
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14 comments:
Obang Okello had an amazing story! I couldn't believe that he covered himself with sand and laid there for 3 days! Also it shocked me when he said his brother was alive and lived in Souix Falls! Also that his parents were still alive as well. I wish I had as much strength as he does! I don't think I would ever be able to stay in college if someone was making death threats towards me!
Danica Marshall
I thought that the most shocking part of Obang Okello's life story was the fact that he was so brave at such a young age. He went back into a burning building to save his classmates when he was only 11 years old! I was amazed at his wisdom as well -- he helped as many people as he could, but knew when it was necessary to leave, even if he had to leave doomed people behind. I thought he was so clever in avoiding the rebels in the river, as well. I can't imagine what it must have been like to be trained for survival among such circumstances for those so young.
Kelli Gill
MWF 10:00
Wow...what an incredible person. Obang Okello's determination and bravery is inspiring. Even in the face of death, he remembered his promise to his friends in the school. I feel very grateful for what I have. Mr.Okello lived in terrible conditions, yet he is able to see the positives in what happened to him. I was astonished at his dramatic story and couldn't believe it when he said that his brother and parents are still alive. I think it's great that he's planning to go to Ethiopa to see his parents, even though he is regarded as an enemy there. I wish him the best of luck and hope he inspires more people by his trip to Ethiopa. Obang Okello is a good example for the rest of the world and I'm glad that I had the chance to hear his story.
Kelsey Pickford
I almost did not go to see him tonight because of work, it wasnt like i couldnt just change shifts because my job is very flexible. And as I was getting ready for work and I was looking at my email and i saw the one letting us know about mr Okello, and i said well he came down to see us and the least i could do is go and hear what he has to say. And I am so glad that i did because i was absolutely mesmorized by his story. The fact that the primary thing they teach their children is how to survive lions, hyeenas, and civil wars as opposed to things like swimming, brushing your teeth and not mouthing off! I could not imagine how it would be normail to learn about those things and have it be apart of your normal life. it was just unreal hearing about how he was only eleven when it all started and that he was at a school and they still had no mercy! I could not imagine what i would have done if i had come home and my house was burned down and about 30 bodies were there... I definately do not think i could have gone on... It was truly amazing and i feel like i have a whole new look on my lfe, because it is one thing to read statistics in a history book or see a cnn special, but to hear in person a story from someone who experienced it first hand was truly educational and a BIG eye-opener...
-Ben Lickteig MWF @ 11:00
Obang Okello was a very inspirational person to listen to. It was hard to hear at some times but I think it has made me realize that people actually have to live like that. I thought it was very uplifting to hear that his brother and parents are still alive. I can't imagine seeing so much death, destruction and hate at such a young age. It's amazing that he made it though.
Megan Poehls MWF 11:00
Last night I think his story touched many people that were sitting out in the audience. Many people including me often think of places like Ethopia a different part of the world that we don't have to think about. I'm one of them, I live my life according to what is happening here. After his speech I asked myself why? Look at Mr. Okello, he could turn his back on Ethopia if he wanted to, he has a better life now, but he doesn't. His story was touching, it was imaginable of what he went through, and to think he is still here today. I think that most would have just given up, but its people like him that inspire others to do good, whether it is just reaching out a hand in the community or as much as helping out others that live in less unfortanate areas. I could go on and on, but thats what he said last nite, so I'm going to stop writing, but just know that his story could break anyones heart even if it was a rock.
Tyhe Mischke
11am
Obang Okello's story was a life changing moment in my life. His story was moving and so in detail.I liked how he joked and tried to make some comic relief. I was shocked to find out that he found is brother and then both of his parents. But the most shocking point to me was that he helped his country and now wants to go back and see his parents even though is is one of the most wanted in Ethiopia. It shows that he is truely a believer in God!
Carrie Ann Holzkamm
I thought that Obang Okello's story was truly amazing. I don't know how someone could possible go through as much as he did. I don't know what I would do if when i came home, there was no village left. He was a pretty smart kid to know to hide at 11 years old. Its hard to believe that he met up with his brother and now he found out that his parents are still alive. This was an amazing story.
Dustin Bonn
MWF 10:00
Obang Okello's story was at times a tear jerker. It amazed me that he was such a strong and brave individual at the age of eleven. To be brave enough to be the first one out the window even though he knew that the rebels would probably shoot him. He also went back to his village and found a bunch of people that had been killed and was determined to find his parents in the bloody mess but when he turned everyone over they were too burned to be identified. He then decided to walk to Kenya and try and get away from the war! I have so much respect for this man and would love to help him in any way I can.
Lea Nutley
MWF 10am
I was shocked and touched of the story about his sad childhood. This man is truly the evidence that everything in life is possible if there is a strong will. He changed my way of thinking about things I have, which I take for granted, I should appreciate more.
Mr. Okello had to undergo very awful situations and the fact that he tells about it may make a change, possibly in his home country for greater attention about the problems there, but at least in the people, who listen to him.
Denny Berndt
Obang Okello's story was amazing. I cannot comprehend some of the things that he did at such a young age like going back to save his friends when he could have been safe with his family. It gave me goosebumps when he said that after being in America he found his brother to be in Sioux Falls, SD, what a small world! Then to find out that his mother and father were actually alive. His story was amazing and he is a very intelligient man. He has dealt with a lot of issues and he is risking his life to go back to Africa to see his parents.
Megan Tollefson MWF 10:00
It was very interesting to see what values are important to a particular society. For example, in a country ruined by civil war children were taught how to survive. In our society, children are taught how to do simple things such as share. Furthermore, Okello's faith and strength in God as his protector amazed me. He said that if he was supposed to die it was God's will, rather than bitterly fighting death. His story helped reaffirm human perseverance and human strength.
the last comment was kirsten saunders 9 am
Obang Okello has had an amazing life along with nine lives. God must truely have a plan for this man to help him make it through so many tragedies.
It is unfortunate that we take our lives for granted until bad things happen to us. We do not know how fortunate we are to live in this country. All the freedoms we truely have and really don't appreciate them.
It was surprising how much courage he had at the age of 11. Most kids at that age can't hardly take care of themselves let alone think what to do to help others. His parents really need to be commended for perparing their son for the worst. We could all learn something from them, to take an active role in our childrens lives.
Ellen Schlosser
MWF 11:00 am
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