My New American Dream: A Personal Story and Perspective of a South Sudanese American Refugee

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© 2013 by Gatluak Ter Thach. All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse 04/25/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-4630-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-4628-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-4631-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013907758

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Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter One My Former Village

Chapter Two The Sudanese Civil War

Chapter Three The Refugee Camp

Chapter Four My Return to the Refugee Camp

Chapter Five The Long Journey to My New Village

Chapter Six My New American Dream

Chapter Seven The New American Dream for Refugees

Chapter Eight The Challenges of Integration for the New American Dream

Chapter Nine The Stages of Successful Integration

Chapter Ten Recommendations for the New American Dream and Integrations

About the Author

Sources

My New American Dream: A personal Story and Perspective of a South Sudanese American Refugee conveys a rare perspective of a personal struggle and triumph. Having witnessed and survived the most abject circumstance, Gatluak Thach demonstrates that nothing—not even the American Dream, is out of reach for a determined survivor. His work will benefit many audiences from Americans to former immigrants, refugees, and particularly the second generation South Sudanese-Americans who will gain a deeper sense of appreciation of their origin.

Dr. Isaac K. Gang

• Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

• Peace and Leadership Facilitator at Jonglei Peace Initiative-North America (JPINA) & Leadership Institute of New Sudan (LIONS)

"My sincerest compliments to Gatluak Thach on an extraordinary story, that for most of us who lived all of our lives in America in a very comfortable style, find it awfully hard to closely relate to. Yet it is so important for his story to be shared with his fellow Americans on how many have survived unbearable experiences, before arriving on the shores of America for a life of freedom, opportunity and hope.

An estimated nine percent of America’s population of 320 million (according to the latest U.S. Census in 2010) is foreign born, with many of these people suffering greatly, both in their earlier lives as well as their journey to America. After reading this wonderful story, it should serve as a motivation for all of us… whether native born or not, to fight to preserve what too many of us take for granted here in America. This must remain the world’s hope for democracy and the rights of its people… . and thank you, my friend, Gat, for reawakening that passion in me to build our nation in the way that it appeared in the dreams and aspirations of you and all other New Americans.

Dr. William H. Kraus

Associate Professor, Argosy University, Nashville, Tennessee

It’s a privilege and honor to have endorsed this book of my childhood friend, Gatluak Ter Thach, whom I had an opportunity to grow up with and now serving the community together. Mr. Thach is one of the very few individuals I know in South Sudanese community whom have devoted times and energy to service others. Mr. Thach has a trait of transparent leadership and power; he also has perseverance, known as persistence, steadfastness, and patience that gives him an ability to hold on to his dreams. I admired his kindness and humility to all humanity without prejudice. Mr. Thach is a person to leans on in time of a situation. This book is a testament of his character and service to global community. I recommend this book to everyone who has a dream in life and wants some guidance and insurance to pursue that dream.

John Chuol Kuek, M.S., Ph.D., MFT

La Maestra Community Health Centers

San Diego, CA.

Gatluak’s story tells us of the interconnectedness of our lives, countries, and this global world. He gives us a way to think through suffering and see hope through this journey.

Stanley Thangaraj, PhD

Socio-Cultural Anthropologist, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

My New American Dream tells the story of how a man of peace was forced into a tragic civil war. It shows how he loved his family and others he met on his journey from Sudan to Nashville. The story of this Godly man brought me to tears when I read of his experiences in Sudan, and I continue to be inspired by what he has accomplished as a new Nashvillian. It is my honor to know Gatluak and rejoice in the way he dedicates his life to helping others.

Dinah Gregory

Metropolitan Social Services—Planning & Coordination Director

Nashville, TN

Gatluak is a role model for all Americans. He has made an extraordinary difference in our community, especially by bringing education, jobs and training to Nashville’s refugees. Let his narrative serve as a tool to educate others and to guide all of us on how to love and respect each other. This story is a true example of an individual who followed his dreams in the face of the unimaginable. A great friend, visionary and leader, Gatluak is, and will continue to be, an inspiration to many.

Angela Harris

• ESL/TESL Director at the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute

• Peace Corps Volunteer, Papua New Guinea, 1991-1993

"Gatluak Thach’s reflections of his personal journey through life will serve others extremely well. It is a remarkable story, compelling and descriptively written from the heart of a new arrival who overcome the most difficult of obstacles to establish a life of superb quality, one filled with personal and family success and marked by professional excellence and service to others. Gatluak’s story will serve as a legacy of the journey he framed as well as a blueprint for others to use as a guide in forging their own way.

After overcoming enormous challenges, Gatluak has made certain that the wonderful opportunities presented him and his family would not go unpaid. Through leading a life of superb character, through his public and personal service, Gatluak has demonstrated his gratitude and appreciation for his own fortune in life and serves as a teacher and example for all. I highly recommend My New American Dream as a story to be enjoyed and an example for others to emulate. It is an inspiring story of hope and accomplishment that reads like a dinner conversation with a dear and respected friend."

Avi Poster

Community Activist

My New American Dream: A Personal Story and Perspective of a South Sudanese American Refugee is a powerful, life changing story. This is the autobiography of a man who is a brother to all of us. The reader goes on an incredible journey witnessing one child’s courageous passage into manhood that fulfills a remarkable human need to love and trust others. Gatluak Thach is a shining example of hope and opportunity—His book will challenge your emotions, encourage your heart and rekindle our hope for mankind.

Kathy Edson

Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

This book is dedicated to Kuoth Nhial, God of heaven. I know I couldn’t have done everything I can now without His mercy, and I’ve gone through a lot. It’s only with His protection and guidance that I am able to execute the mission that I believe is my main purpose: to live in this world with all its blessings and challenges.

I also dedicate this book to my parents, my beloved father, Peter Ter Thach, and my mother, Mary Jule Riek. Although my father’s not present with us to witness this book’s completion, I honestly believe his spirit is looking down on us, giving his children incredible smiles and encouragement to realize the work that he had instructed us to do. My father was not only my best friend, best supporter, and the best father, but he was also like the Kuoth Nhial to me. My father believed it was right to help other people. He believed it’s important for anyone to stand up for what’s right. Keep your word and Do the right thing were his mottos. He wanted us to respect every human being, not only those we knew.

My mother, Mary Jule Riek, also means so much to me. In this book, you’ll be able to see how incredible this magnificent woman has been in my life and in the lives of my siblings. I have a tremendous respect for her. Before my father departed this world, my mother was everything to my father and to us. She was a sister and a friend to my father. She helped my father with everything he needed. My mother is a dedicated, nurturing person who cares so much for her children. She thinks about and acts on what we need; she loves to see us succeed. She remains with our young siblings since the departure of my beloved father to heaven, and no one could doubt her readiness to think of serving our family first. She is culturally and traditionally educated in how to best serve her family, which has made her the strong and powerful woman she is.

My final dedication is to my beautiful wife, Nyakuma (Kuma) Ter Thach, and our amazing children: Duang Ter, Jr., and Selena (Nyakuar). I am blessed to have Kuma in my life, and she is why I am in a position to do what I love to do. My wife does everything, including ensuring that our wonderful children grow and mature through good parenting and care. She is our big boss and the manager of our home and our extended family’s homes. She is a bridge for our entire family network when I am unable to be with them due to my work, at school, and on this book. She ensures that my children get the help they need and lets them know their father needs time to do his work and will play with them when that work is completed.

Duang, Ter, Jr., and Nyakuar, I am so proud to be your father. Thank you very much for supporting your mother. I am writing this book because I want you to live in a world of peace, love, and unity. I want you to live in a world where people love their neighbors as themselves. In a world where people of my generation work for the betterment of your generation and the generations after that. Thank you for all you do. I love you!

Acknowledgments

This book has been made possible by the encouragements, advice, and inspiration of friends and colleagues as well as family and community members. I would first like to acknowledge my friends Kathy Edson, Angela Harris, Donna Kumar, Dr. Julia Lydon, Bruce Buchanan, Jeff Pack, J. Ryan Harvey, Mohamed Shukri, Amy Richardson, Kipkosgey Magut of Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Manny Ehiemua, Nancy Dickson, Dr. Stan Thangaraj, Tina Sharma, Verda Gibbs, Will Pinkston, Alexander Santana, Pallavi (Pallu) Reddy for their leadership roles in the organization. From my whole heart, thank you!

There are more people I would like to thank; Rev. Kaki Friskics-Warren of The Dan and Margaret Maddox Foundation; Holly Johnson, Louisa Saratora, Gigi Rose, and their wonderful team at Tennessee Office for Refugees; Barbara Clinton and Tonya Elkins of Vanderbilt Center for Community Health Solutions; Mayor Dean of Nashville, Tennessee; Avi Poster and Tom Negri of Nashville for All of Us and CEI; Dinah Gregory and Abdelghani Barre of Nashville Metro Social Services; Dr. Tsehaye Teferra, Allene Wright, Emily Nesheim, Anam Gnaho, Tseday Girma, Benaiah Duku, and their incredible team at Ethiopia Community Development Council, Inc.; Dr. Bill Thompson of Baptist Hospital; J. D. Elliott, FACHE of The memorial Foundation; Andrea Ayers of Law Office of Andrea M. Ayers; Asrar Babikir and Yam Kharel of Catholic Charities; Dr. Mahmoud Eltighani of Tennessee State University; Dr. Galen Spencer Hull of HULL International, LLC; Carol Etherington of Vanderbilt University Institute for Global Health; Rev. Curt Holland of The Fellowship Church; Dr. Ernest Newsom of Sudanese Presbyterian Church; Denine Torr and Jackson Routh of Dollar General Literacy Foundation; Eskinder Negash and Tabassum Siraj of the US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and Office of Refugee Resettlement; and to everyone that I haven’t named, thank you.

Thank you to my extraordinary team members on staff at Nashville International Center for Empowerment, including Cindy Cunningham, Idah Mathu, Aisha Garba, Kerry Foley, Sue Lo, Andrea Collins, Sarah Russ, Koang Chol, Stephanie Adams, Mark Eatherly, Jordan Peoples, Khin Kyi, Lina Lual, Gopal Basnet, Frances Anderson, Damber Kharel, Rachel Oduka, Bhuwan Nepal, Patrice Watson, Lachu Siwakoti, David Reath, and Karen Jones; and all our wonderful interns and volunteers, notably Donna Pack and Arlene Lane. Thank you. Your contributions to supporting people in need create hope and are the reason I call each one of you my beloved friend. Thank you again for your extraordinary work!

I would indeed like to acknowledge the roles my amazing brothers have played in my life and the lives of our family members. Thank you to Mach Ter Thach, Deng Ter Thach, Both and Bol Ter Thach. Thank you also to young Nyajima and Thach Duang Jr., Chap, and Nyamuocha. You mean a lot to me; thank you. Thanks to Bhanbhan, Jules. Thank you, friends, including Gatwech Ring, Dr. John Chuol Kuek, Dr. Isaac K. Gang, John Wicheang Ruach, Nhial Chuol Tut Kuangang, Peter Gatbel Chamjock, Dr. Ter Pal; David Paduil, Chuol Both, and Kor Tot, thank you guys for your encouragement and support of my education, work, and writing. I have tremendous respect and admiration for all of you.

Again, nothing could be possible without the extraordinary support of my beloved wife, Nyakuma Ter Thach. It is because of you, my dear, that I have been able to write this book and still keep my job and continue my doctoral education. It is because of you that I received uninterrupted time when I need it after coming home from long days at work and on weekends after school and meetings. You are the reason I was able to write this book and excel in my doctorate program. Thank you, Manduang!

Introduction

This book was written for three purposes. First, I want to share my personal story with friends, colleagues, and family members, especially my children and their future children. I want people to know who I am and where I came from. In particular, I want to share the richness of my traditional culture and the role of everyone in the family, including children, because I want my children to know how important children can be, even when they are still young. I believe age doesn’t matter much; adults can behave like children and children can act like adults.

Second, I wish to reach other new Americans—refugees and immigrants of this country, young Americans and their parents, as well as those that work with refugees and immigrants. I frequently use the term New American Dream to introduce a different perspective on the concept of the American Dream. New American Dream applies more closely to the context of a new world and its meaning extends beyond what those that originally coined the term American Dream intended. I believe that new Americans, including young Americans, should rethink and redefine the term to fit their circumstances.

Third, I want this book to be a tool for new Americans. I provide educational information in the last chapter to aid individuals, families, community members, and future leaders. This information includes examples and references about forming organizations, collaborating and merging with other organizations, soliciting funding, building meaningful teams, and securing suitable solutions to overcome community divisions and conflicts.

Chapter 1 discusses the village where I was born and explains my role as a young child and the roles of my brothers and my parents. Chapter 2 is about the Sudanese Civil War, when my family and I left our village for a refugee camp. Chapter 3 of the book talks about the refugee camp, including its lack of resources and health care challenges, my conscription into the rebel military, and other security issues. Chapter 4 talks about my return to the refugee camp after I left the rebel military. Chapter 5 concludes the first half of the book by discussing the long journey to my new village, Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States. This chapter was painful to write and could be painful to read, so please be prepared. It covers many things that are never easy for me to discuss.

Chapter 6 begins my story of my New American Dream. It describes the significance this new term holds for me and what it could mean for others. Chapter 7 discusses what the New American Dream means to refugees and young Americans, including responsibility and accountability. Chapter 8 describes some challenges new Americans face in achieving their New American Dream. Chapter 9 discusses successful integration for immigrants, including stages of adjustment and the need for good programs. Chapter 10, the final chapter, presents my recommendations to new and young Americans, families, communities, organizational leaders and others for making this a peaceful and meaningful world with much to offer. I urge my friends to pay particular attention to the examples and solutions in Chapter 10.

Chapter One

My Former Village

My father, Peter Ter Thach, was born in the 1950s in Kuechar. Kuechar is a village located within Nasir in South Sudan. The richness of natural resources drew in villagers who were local farmers. With an abundance of fish, wild animals, fruit-bearing trees, and fertile land, families chose this area as a great source of livelihood. Peter Ter Thach was one of those farmers who sought to establish a family and a way of life in Kuechar. While the farming season provided many ways to sustain his family, agrarian work itself was not sufficient. During the rainy season, he would travel to Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, to work in a factory and my mother would care for us while he was away.

The money he sent home during those months helped us purchase fishing nets and other items which were symbols of respect in Kuechar. This income also allowed him to purchase the clothes that his children, wife, and his other relatives wore. During each trip to Khartoum, my father bought us good-quality clothes that looked like uniforms so no one would say our clothes were better than others’. My brothers and I loved the white shirts and black pants and shoes he brought us, and we enjoyed looking alike. He brought the same good quality clothes to our cousins so they wouldn’t feel left out, if they saw us with new clothes.

My father supported his wife, Mary Jule Riek and four boys. His oldest son is Mach Ter Thach who is followed by Deng Ter Thach. Mach is two years older than Deng, but Deng exercised a certain maturity in his early years that separated him from his peers.

His keen wit enabled him to sometimes take advantage of others including me, his younger brother. One day Deng and I were sent to invite our uncle to join us in entertaining other uncles and cousins who traveled a long distance to spend time with us. My mother asked that we come back right after delivering the message. Deng didn’t want to go and didn’t care for the company of our visiting uncles either. So on our way he told me that we had to immediately go back and tell my mother our uncle wasn’t home.

Deng crafted this strategy and wanted me to take the blame. I was young and pretty sure that we hadn’t reached our uncle’s home but I agreed to do Deng’s bidding out of fear he would punish me.

So I told my mother that our uncle wasn’t home. My mother knew that we hadn’t gone far and probably knew that Deng just did not want to go. Instead of penalizing us for disobeying, she found an interesting way to teach us the lessons of life. She forgave us and served us kuen, our staple food, because we were just children who needed food to survive. This act of love came from a lovely mother with great heart, willing to forgive her children. Despite Deng’s occasional tricks, when I recall village life, I realize that we didn’t have everything but it was still a wonderful life.

Even though Deng was crafty, I stood apart from my brothers and was attracted to leadership at an early age, maybe because of Deng’s tricks, and occasional tricks by my brother Mach.

I enjoyed helping my family. My two other brothers chose to do otherwise and sometimes refused our mother’s requests. My mother took a liking to me which made the tasks with her emotionally rewarding. She found my jokes and conversation to be delightful.

When extended family needed assistance, my father often sent me. One time he sent me to his sister cousin’s village, a few days walk, to assist with calves because there was no boy there to look after the calves. I was scared and didn’t want to leave my family, but my father told me that I would be fine. I went, and stayed with my aunt who was married to a local chief who performed traditional divine activities in that village. People from all corners brought cases to the chief, and he ruled as their local god. Clans and tribes came with gifts of cows for the chief and his family. This chief had more cows, calves, goats and sheep than my father. People, who came danced, sang war and cultural songs, and fired guns to gratify the chief. This frightened me when I first arrived at the village. While the boys of my aunt’s village were nice to me, I missed my brothers, and I was constantly screaming to return to my family until I was brought back home to Kuechar.

Back in Kuechar I helped my mother raise Wiyual, the youngest son, born three years after me. Wiyual was born skinny, unlike the rest of his brothers, and he cried constantly since my mother could not lactate enough to nourish him. My mother liked to leave Wiyual with me when she went to gather wood or water from Pibor River. I had to hold and care for him even though I was only a few years older. I never liked leaving him crying despite the fact that he didn’t always like me to carry him any distance. Sometimes I cried along with him