The tale weaves the stories of two adolescents from Southern Sudan. Initially, we meet Nya, an 11-year-old girl in 2008, who spends her days traveling to and fro from her residence to gather water for her family. Conversely, we are introduced to Salva, another 11-year-old, but in 1985. Salva’s existence is disrupted by conflict, ripping him away from his kin and pushing him onto a dangerous journey of survival. Alternating between the characters, we learn that Nya’s family must relocate to a perilous zone near a lake during the dry season. This territory is disputed by two hostile tribes, one of which they are part of. Nya’s sibling falls ill due to the tainted water they consume, leading the family to boil their water thereafter. Salva’s odyssey is fraught with peril and sorrow. After weeks of relentless traveling, he finds solace in a fellow member of the Dinka tribe, Marial. Yet, tragedy strikes when Marial falls prey to a lion. More misfortune follows when Salva’s Uncle, who had been safeguarding him, is slain by armed locals from a rival tribe. Despite the agony, Salva summons the fortitude of his departed loved ones and reaches a refugee camp in Ethiopia, all the while desperately seeking his family. Meanwhile, Nya’s family retraces their steps to their village with the beginning of the rainy season. Men from beyond their tribe arrive to drill for water near their abode, offering hope for easier access to pure water. Progressing through the narrative, we witness Salva enduring hardships in the refugee camp, compelled to traverse a river infested with crocodiles due to the turmoil in Ethiopia. He survives and leads a group of boys on an 18-month expedition to Kenya. By 2009, drilling operations proceed in Nya’s village with the promise of a clean water supply and a new educational institution. Concurrently, Salva is selected to relocate to the United States, where he discovers his “Lost Boy” status and eventually reunites with his family in Sudan. In the village of Nya, the well is finally completed, funded by pupils from a school in America. Upon meeting the individual accountable for the well, Nya discovers that he hails from a rival tribe. He introduces himself as Salva, intertwining their tales in an unforeseen climax.
chapter 1
Nya, an eleven-year-old girl, embarks on a journey, carrying an empty large plastic container. The scorching sun is high in the sky, even though it’s not yet noon. The trek would take up half her morning, but she remains undeterred. In a classroom, another eleven-year-old named Salva, is absentmindedly gazing out the window, yearning for home. His school lessons are delivered in Arabic, the sanctioned tongue of Sudan. However, his family converses in Dinka, their tribal dialect. His elder brothers Ariik and Ring attend school alongside him, while his sisters Akit and Agnath stay home. Kuol, his youngest brother, is not yet of school age. When the dry spell sets in, the family will depart from the village. While Salva daydreams in class, he envisions being with his brothers, tending to their father’s cattle near the waterholes, engaging in games, and hunting. He imagines returning home to his mother, ready to welcome him with her vibrant orange headscarf and a bowl of fresh milk. However, his reverie is shattered by the sound of gunfire. The religious strife that has been raging for two years between southern rebels and the government has infiltrated their village. Turmoil ensues outside, with villagers dispersing. Salva’s educator instructs the students to flee and not return to the village. Terrified, Salva wishes to protest, to dash home, but no words escape his lips. Instead, he discovers himself fleeing into the underbrush, leaving his abode far behind.
chapter 2
Nya positions herself on the ground, with a container at her side. She winces at the large thorn lodged in her heel, trying to dislodge it with her fingers before utilizing another thorn as a implement to extract it. Suddenly, Salva hears an eruption and spots smoke and flames in the distance. He sets off running, his destination unknown, his family’s location uncertain. While others flee, he slows his pace to match theirs. By twilight, the crowd disperses into village clusters. Salva finds himself amid those from his own village, Loun-Ariik. Some faces are familiar, but his family is conspicuously absent. The subsequent day, their expedition resumes under the vigilant eyes of armed rebels. A sense of dread envelops Salva as he contemplates his family’s destiny. Come evening, they arrive at the rebel base. The soldiers segregate them into two factions — men, and women, children, and the aged. Salva feels torn, uncertain about where to go. Hailing from an influential family, he is unsure if he should join the male group. As he attempts to, a soldier redirects him, chuckling at his eagerness to mature. The notion of reuniting with his family subdues his fear. The following morning, despite their reluctance, no one dares to oppose the rebels after witnessing a man being brutalized for dissenting. As night descends, Salva’s contingent discovers shelter in a barn. His slumber is fraught with apprehension regarding his undisclosed destination and his family’s safety. Upon awakening, he finds himself solitary, his group vanished.
chapter 3
Close to the watering hole, the scenery transitions from grey to olive green, teeming with vitality. Nya, while coping with the discomfort of a thorn in her foot, fills her container with muddied water and secures it on her head with a fabric ring. The journey home will be lengthier, but she aspires to arrive by noon. Salva, overwhelmed by his predicament, is heartened by the sight of a woman bearing the scars of the Dinka tribe. His tribe, the Dinkas, have been embroiled in hostilities with the Nuer tribe over water-abundant lands for generations. He addresses the woman as “Auntie”, who reciprocates by offering him peanuts from her dwelling. Salva confides his tale in her, albeit choked with emotion. The woman permits Salva to lodge in her barn, and he aids her with chores, hoping to return home once the conflict subsides. However, as the dry season approaches and the conflict endures, the woman opts to depart. She declines Salva’s company, fearing it might attract soldiers. Left alone in the barn, Salva is engulfed by uncertainty regarding his future. Yet, he is interrupted by approaching voices. He discerns the Dinka scars on the foreheads of the approaching men, kindling a glint of hope that his family might be among them.
chapter 4
Nya’s mother divides the amassed water into three vessels at their domicile. After relishing a repast of boiled sorghum and milk in the shade, Nya is instructed by her mother to accompany her younger sister, Akeer, back to the pond. Despite deeming Akeer too youthful for the chore, Nya obliges, clutching her sister’s hand and the vacant water receptacle. She journeys to the pond twice a day, a routine she observes seven months annually. In 1985, in Southern Sudan, Salva finds himself amidst strangers, none of whom are family. An elderly lady inquires with the men about whether they would have Salva accompany them. Initially hesitant, apprehensive that he might impede their progress and consume their provisions, they ultimately assent after a silent.Influence from a female. The ultimate choice of the group is irrevocable, Salva, a Dinka by origin, will accompany them. The elderly lady gives Salva nuts and an empty container, prompting him to hurry and stay in step with the group. The direction isn’t of great importance to him, as long as it leads him away from the warfare. On his voyage, Salva faces intense hunger. He lags behind the group and eventually finds himself walking beside Buksa, a member of the Jur-chol community. Their pace is moderate, but Buksa suddenly quickens upon hearing a honey-bird, a sign of a beehive nearby. Salva, eager for sustenance, rushes to notify the others.
chapter 5
Nya’s family relocates to a vast lake during the dry season every year, moving away from their pond. The expansive lake, though dry like their pond, retains water within its clay which Nya is tasked with fetching. She works diligently daily, watching for water to emerge from the excavated clay to fill her container. The routine carries on until the rains come, enabling them to return home. Nya’s people, the Nuer, are in perpetual conflict with the Dinka clan over the territory surrounding the lake. However, during the arid season, hostilities ease as both groups concentrate on survival. Meanwhile, Salva faces an assault from bees as the Jur-chol men endeavor to smoke out a beehive. Despite the agony from numerous stings, he deems it worthwhile for a satiated stomach. With his hunger abating, the walking becomes less taxing, and more individuals join their assembly daily. He anxiously looks for his family among the new faces. Salva forms a bond with a lad named Marial, who, like him, is separated from his family. Marial persuades Salva that they’re en route to Ethiopia, sparking concerns in Salva about the chances of his family locating him in a foreign land. They share a chuckle when Marial proposes that they could journey across the globe and return to Sudan to reunite with their families. After a month of trekking, Salva and the group traverse through Aruot territory, known as the “land of the lions.” Nights here echo with fearsome roars and ominous sounds of mortality. One day, as Salva trails behind Marial, he catches someone calling his name and whirls around in astonishment at the sight before him.
chapter 6
Nya has been a frequent visitor to the lakeside encampment. Despite the need to dig for water, she welcomes the break from the journey to the pond. However, her mother dreads the camp, particularly the hunting excursions led by her husband and elder son, Dep. The looming threat of a clash with the Dinka tribe fills her with dread. Yet, so far, luck has favored them. Salva stands momentarily paralyzed. Despite attempting to articulate, he finds himself voiceless. Unexpectedly, a man calls out his name, and none other than his Uncle Jewiir stands before him. Upon their reunion, Salva tearfully recounts his odyssey, and his uncle pledges his shield over him. His uncle’s arrival boosts the morale of the group, swiftly earning respect. He hunts down a young antelope, and though the meal leaves Salva unwell, it lightens the spirits of the group. As they traverse Aruot territory, Salva and Marial stick close to Uncle Jewiir. However, one night, following an exhaustive search for water, Salva collapses and awakens to the startling news of Marial’s nocturnal disappearance.
chapter 7
Akeer, Nya’s sister, has been ailing for days, battling a stomach ache that has reduced her to a frail state, unable even to groan. It’s a common affliction characterized by cramps, stomach pain, diarrhea, and at times, fever. The ailment places Akeer at risk of perishing due to malnourishment and dehydration since the nearest clinic with the necessary treatment is several days’ journey away, and she might not survive the trip. Salva, filled with dread, sticks close to his uncle as they press on with their journey. A lion had previously attacked and seized Marial while he slumbered. His uncle attempts to reassure him, affirming his possession of a firearm to ward off any approaching lions. His uncle’s words of reassurance leave Salva perplexed, considering he has lost both his family and now his friend. The landscape around the moving group becomes increasingly verdant, and Salva detects the presence of water. They chance upon the Nile River, which they must traverse. Beyond the river lies a desert and Ethiopia. Some members of the group possess the skills to fashion boats from reeds. The group hastily gathers the reeds, aiming to skirt conflict or aerial assaults in the area. Salva finds purpose in contributing to the task. After two days, the boats are finalized, examined for flaws, rectified where necessary, and deemed seaworthy. They embark from the riverbank and into the river.
chapter 8
Nya, her mother, and the ailing Akeer visit the bustling clinic, a sizable white tent teeming with medical personnel. Akeer makes significant strides in recovery after just two rounds of treatment. Though feeble, her cheerful demeanor resurfaces. A nurse informs them that Akeer’s illness was waterborne and advises them to only consume pure water or boiled water in the absence of clean water. Anxiety is palpable on their mother’s countenance. Nya already struggles to gather even a small amount of water from the lake. The limited water they manage to procure would evaporate if boiled as per the nurse’s guidance. They plan to boil the water they carry from the pond to their home but not the water they drink at the pond. They are left pondering their fate at the lake. Meanwhile, Salva, aboard a boat, remains vigilant by tallying his uncle’s row strokes until they reach a river islet. Upon alighting, they beseech the local fishermen for sustenance. Unlike the others, Salva’s uncle receives victuals without entreaty, which he shares with Salva. As Salva savors a piece of sugar cane, he reminisces about the mangoes his father used to bring home and wonders if he will ever behold his father again. Night descends, and the fishermen take refuge in their tents, shielding themselves from a swarm of mosquitoes with nets. Devoid of protection, Salva and his companions become a feast for the mosquitoes. Sleep eludes them, and by morning, Salva is covered in itchy, bleeding bites. Preparing for their desert passage, they replenish their water vessels and resume their journey down the river. The Akobo desert looms as their next trial.
chapter 9
Nya’s family returns to their village, and after several months, a Jeep arrives bearing two men who confer with the village chief, Nya’s uncle. While they sip tea and converse, Nya learns from her brother, Dep, that their dialogue pertains to water. Salva, his uncle, and their comrades reach the desert. Salva’s footwear disintegrates on the first day of the anticipated three-day trek. Striding barefoot under the blazing sun, Salva wrestles with weariness and thorny landscapes with scant water. As twilight approaches, Salva stubs his toe, losing a toenail, and the searing agony reduces him to uncontrollable tears, slowing his progress. His uncle comes to his aid, employing his full name, “Salva Mawien Dut Arrik,” to guide him towards the shrubbery. His uncle continues to urge him on toward other landmarks, one step at a time, until they can pause at nightfall. The ensuing day brings them upon nine men sprawled in the sand, some barely conscious and others still.A lady from the gathering cautiously extends assistance, dampening a fabric to ease a man’s dry lips, in spite of a warning from a fellow voyager that such assistance was futile and endangered her own water supply.
Chapter 10
Following a gathering, Nya, alongside other children, follows behind men as they head towards a tree near her abode, with another tree standing at a distance. One of the strangers and Nya’s uncle halt midway between the two trees while the other man inspects the second tree. Communicating in an unfamiliar tongue, one man informs Nya’s uncle that they will find water amidst the trees. Nya is left bewildered about discovering water in a seemingly arid spot. Salva desires to sip from his gourd, but his uncle advises him to preserve it. After three women replenish the men’s water reservoir, they rejoin the group, rejuvenated. As Salva traverses past the bodies of five departed men, he ponders if he would have shared his water, considering he was more senior and sturdier. While journeying across the desert, Salva expresses his concerns about reuniting with his family to his uncle, only to discover that his village has been obliterated and the likelihood of survivors is slim. Uncle also discloses his intention to return to Sudan for the conflict, leaving Salva to fend for himself while pledging to search for his family. After enduring two days devoid of sustenance, the group arrives at a pond encircled by trees. Despite the unsanitary water, they manage to roast a deceased stork over a fire. Unexpectedly, armed men emerge. One of them, exhibiting Nuer tribe markings, confronts Uncle, confiscating his weapon and fastening him to a tree. After seizing the group’s belongings, the men retreat to the tree where Uncle is held. Salva watches helplessly as a man discharges three rounds at Uncle before they flee.
Chapter 11
As the two men depart from the settlement, the residents commence preparing the land amidst the trees. Nya continuously embarks on her journey to the pond, perplexed by how water could exist in such a parched, rigid ground. Dep too expresses skepticism. Following Uncle’s burial, the group plunges into mourning. They resume their journey as night descends. Salva, grappling with the loss of Marial and Uncle, finds solace in their memory. With Uncle absent, the group’s grievances about Salva escalate. They contend he is too juvenile and impedes their advancement. Uncle was charitable, now they extend nothing to Salva. Despite this, Salva grows more resilient, resolute to demonstrate his worth. Upon reaching the refugee camp, Salva is dumbfounded by the multitude of individuals, predominately males, seeking sanctuary from the conflict. Salva, akin to them, fled to evade conscription. Salva interacts with other displaced children at the camp, aspiring to find his family. The tranquility feels eerie after days of incessant movement. He consumes food for the first time that evening and once more the ensuing morning. By afternoon, he spots a woman donning a vivid orange headscarf, resembling his towering mother, and hastens towards her.
Chapter 12
A group of ten men with two trucks and a drill reminiscent of an iron giraffe descends upon the village. They unpack an assortment of equipment, including plastic pipes, as they gear up to clear the land. Several women, including Nya’s mother with her infant securely fastened to her back, amass rocks and stones. After bundling them in fabric, they transport the heavy load atop their heads back to the drilling site. The rocks are subsequently fragmented into smaller, gravel-sized pieces. As Nya fetches water from the pond daily, she is greeted by the din of machinery and collaborative effort. However, the sound of water eludes her. Salva’s call for his mother goes unanswered, prompting him to realize the harsh reality of his family’s vanishing. He contemplates how he will endure without them. He reminisces about his uncle’s counsel in the desert—striving for diminutive, attainable goals when faced with adversity. Salva resolves to persevere, one day at a time. Put simply, six years later, Salva is nearing seventeen. Rumors about the Ethiopian government’s collapse and the potential closure of the camp are rampant. Abruptly, trucks ferrying soldiers storm into the camp, inciting turmoil and compelling everyone to evacuate Ethiopia. Amidst the chaos, Salva discovers that the refugees are being directed towards the Gilo River, marking the border between Ethiopia and Sudan. In the midst of the rainy season, the river is perilously brimming and swift, infested with crocodiles.
Chapter 13
Day after day, the team transports water from the pond to the drilling site, filling a colossal bag affixed to the truck’s rear. The routine is frequently disrupted when the bag springs a leak, halting drilling until it is rectified. Despite the team growing weary, their overseer encourages them to persevere. Even when exasperation peaks, they mend the bag and return to their laborious task. From a nearby riverbank, Salva witnesses a harrowing sight: soldiers opening fire into the crowd and compelling people into the crocodile-infested waters. A young man vanishes beneath the surface, a repast for the monstrous reptiles. As the soldiers pepper the water with bullets, Salva plunges in. A lad clutches him, submerging him before releasing him. Emerging, Salva notices a bullet wound in the boy’s neck. That day, a thousand lives perish in the river; nonetheless, Salva reaches the opposing bank. Unable to return home due to the escalating strife in Sudan and the looming peril in Ethiopia, Salva fixates his gaze on Kenyan refugee camps. As he embarks on this odyssey, others join him, and before long, he finds himself at the helm of a group surpassing a thousand boys. The youngest conjure memories of his own sibling Kuol, who he comprehends is no longer a child. The group navigates the hazardous terrain nocturnally to evade skirmishes and bombardments, with newcomers supplementing their ranks and sharing their tales of survival. Salva orchestrates the group, assigning tasks like foraging for sustenance, gathering firewood, and aiding the fatigued youngsters. He motivates, reproaches, and at times bellows to sustain morale, drawing fortitude from the thought of his family. After an arduous voyage extending over a year, the group finally reaches Kenya.
Chapter 14
The clamor of the drilling is deafening. On the third day, a throng gathers around the drilling vicinity, the supervisor bellowing commands. Abruptly, a distinct noise, followed by water spouting up and drenching the laborers. Elation and applause erupt among everyone, Nya maintaining the rhythm to a spontaneous celebratory melody. But then she discerns the water, now a murky brown. Aged 22, Salva has dwelled in two Kenyan refugee camps for half a decade. His initial camp, Kakuma, resembled a detention center. After two years, he embarks on a months-long sojourn to Ifo camp with a troupe of men, only to encounter parallel conditions. Despite his robust health, Salva cannot secure employment and can merely anticipate hopefully. Michael, an Irish humanitarian volunteer, embraces Salva, instructing him in English and even introducing him to volleyball. A wave of excitement sweeps through the camp amid murmurs of 3,000 men being chosen to depart for the U.S. If your name appears on the list at the central tent, you stand a chance to depart for America. Each day, Salva waits fruitlessly for his name to surface. His days constitute a blend of optimism.and discouragement. But suddenly, Michael races over with thrilling tidings. Salva hurries to the tent to verify—his name is included. He’s bound for Rochester, New York.
chapter 15
Children are warned against drinking the cloudy water as the men persist in their drilling efforts. Nya’s father and the leader of the group converse, with Dep later explaining to Nya that the water’s murkiness is due to mixing with pond water. He reassures her that as they dig deeper, the water will become pure. A pipe will be installed, a foundation laid, and cement poured around it. The water will be safe to drink once the cement sets but it will take some time. Not surprised by another journey to the pond, Nya prepares her plastic container and sets off. Salva discovers his status as a Lost Boy, one of those who have been separated from their families and homes due to war. He and eight more boys travel to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. They complete various tasks, from filling out forms and undergoing medical tests to having their pictures taken and receiving new clothing. As it is winter in America, Salva plans to layer all his new garments. Salva’s voyage to Rochester, his new residence, consists of three different flights. During his initial flight, he requests a Coca Cola, reminiscent of the bottles his father used to bring home. His mind drifts to his family as he observes the other families on board the flights. Upon reaching Rochester, Salva is greeted by Chris, Louise, and their four children, his new family. After a series of salutations and expressions of appreciation, he dons more winter clothing. He feels a sense of closure in leaving his homeland and family as he exits the airport, tears welling up in his eyes. He steps out, ready to embrace his new life and family.
chapter 16
The excitement fades as villagers return to their tasks. However, a group of men gather in front of Nya’s dwelling, equipped with tools. They follow Nya’s father to a spot near a large tree and commence clearing the surrounding area. Noticing Nya’s curiosity, her father beckons her over and explains that they are preparing the ground for construction. When Nya inquires about the purpose, her father simply smiles. Salva finds Rochester unlike any place he’s ever visited, leaving him bewildered. Immersing himself in learning English, he also joins a volleyball team where language is not a barrier. After six years in Rochester, Salva is now a college student pursuing business studies. He ponders returning to Sudan to aid his people, contemplating how he can be of service. An email from his cousin one evening shocks Salva. The revelation is that his father is alive, recuperating from a stomach surgery in a UN clinic in Southern Sudan. His cousin came across Salva’s father’s name while working for a relief organization. After arranging a trip to Sudan months later, through a series of flights and delays, Salva finally lands in Juba, in the southern part of Sudan. The journey to his father takes him on a Jeep ride through the bush, a blend of familiar and unfamiliar sights. Weary, he arrives at the hospital and informs the receptionist that he’s there to meet Mawien Dut Ariik.
chapter 17
Nya’s father discloses that they are constructing a school, now that their village has access to water. The idea of no longer needing to fetch water and instead attending school leaves Nya astonished. Her father sends her to fetch water, and Nya feels a surge of excitement at the prospect of learning to read and write. After 19 years, Salva reunites with his father at a clinic. His father shares that Salva’s mother is alive but cautions him against returning due to the ongoing conflict. He also reveals that while two of Salva’s brothers have passed away, his sibling Ring is alive. The father had traveled hundreds of miles to reach the clinic, his health deteriorating from drinking contaminated water. They bid farewell, with Salva pledging to visit again once it’s safer. On his way home, Salva strategizes his next moves with the assistance of friends, Chris and Louise, and project coordinator Scott. The objective is to raise funds by sharing about his project. Drawing strength from his past experiences, Salva is resolute in making it a reality. Over the next three years, Salva continues to remain optimistic, always recalling his uncle’s advice to take “one step at a time”. He knows his objective is within reach.
chapter 18
The villagers gather around the completed well. Nya’s uncle and the crew leader hoist a blue canvas, emblazoned with ‘Elm Street School’ in English. A photograph is taken of the villagers around the sign, to be shared with the American students who funded the well. Nya fills her bottle with fresh water from the well and relishes the cool, clean drink. Positioned where the villagers once celebrated, the well promises a brighter future. Nya, Dep, and Akeer will soon commence school, and there are plans for a marketplace and potentially a medical clinic. The well will serve multiple villages, some of which are a considerable distance away. No one will be turned away, and the villagers will collaborate to maintain it in good condition. Nya’s lengthy treks for water are finally over. Nya spots the crew leader standing alone and is taken aback to learn from Dep that he is a Dinka. She, like most of the crew, is Nuer, and historically their tribes have been in conflict. Intrigued, Nya approaches the man, expresses gratitude for the water, and introduces herself. The man reveals himself as Salva.
