Stephen Bol Kai

Stephen Kai was just seven years old in 1986, when he got separated from his family during the violence in Sudan, Africa. Along with other young refugees, he fled to Ethiopia. After three years, conflict in Ethiopia forced the boys to flee again, across the dangerous Gilo River and back through Sudan to a refugee camp in Kenya. During the years that Stephen spent in the camp, he finished his high school education. In September of 2001, he was relocated to Boston. Stephen arrived at Divine Word College in 2005. After several years of studying English in the ESL program, Stephen is now a freshman at Divine Word College.

Stephen Bol Kai is one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” – with a life marked by hardship, endurance and courage – and also touched by the grace of God.

For twenty years, civil war has torn Sudan apart, killing and displacing millions of people. In the midst of the violence, Stephen, then about seven years old, got separated from his family in his home village, Ngony-Ador. Along with other young refugees, he fled to Ethiopia in 1986.

“I had no shoes, no other clothes except what I wore,” he says. After three years in Ethiopia, the conflict raging in that country forced the boys to flee again, across the dangerous Gilo River, back through Sudan and ultimately to a refugee camp in Kenya. During the nine years that Stephen spent in the camp, he finished his high school education.

When the attacks on the United States occurred on September 11, 2001, Stephen and some other “lost boys” were on a plane headed for America. The plane was diverted to Amsterdam for four days before finally arriving in New York. Stephen soon found himself relocated to Boston, where he secured a job, on his own, at a hospital. “I didn’t think I would make it,” he says. “I felt despair. I knew nothing about the job, didn’t know how to live on my own, and didn’t even know how to take the bus.” He adds, “I took my first paycheck home and left it sit on the table because I didn’t know what to do with it.” With the help of a kind woman supervisor, Stephen learned the skills he needed to survive, and worked at the hospital for three years.

“I always went to Mass on Sundays,” Stephen remembers. “One day, I met a priest and asked him how to find a seminary to become a missionary.” The priest replied, “First, you must learn English.” After a year studying English at the local community college language center, Stephen’s desire to become a missionary was even stronger. He saw a Divine Word College advertisement and read the accompanying article. At the public library, he looked up the DWC website. Stephen was impressed by the words he read on the site: We are from all nations – We welcome everyone. When he contacted DWC, the vocational office responded, suggesting that he come to visit. “I just wanted to learn – I didn’t even visit first – I just wanted to come and learn,” Stephen says.

On January 17, 2005, he arrived at Divine Word College. Now a freshman after completing several years of ESL studies, Stephen says, “I can’t complain about anything, but learning English – especially to write – has been very challenging for me.”

What is most important to Stephen about being at DWC? “I can learn to become a missionary, I can learn about different countries and diversity, and be friends with everyone,” he replies.

Education is crucial to Stephen in discerning his vocation. “This is what helps me to know people,” he says. And when asked what he would like everyone to know about him, Stephen does not hesitate. “I am a lost boy from Sudan…I have not yet been found.”