SOUTH SUDAN: Photographs by Terese Svoboda

Author, filmmaker and project partner, TERESE SVOBODA, is a Nebraska-native who traveled throughout the Sudan in 1975-76 (under the aegis of the National Anthropology Archives and Human Studies) recording sound for a documentary film-sequel to 'The Nuer,' the noted ethnographic film produced by the Harvard Film Study Center. She was also sponsored by grants from PEN/Columbia and the NEH to translate the songs of the Nuer into English. You can read more about her adventure from her story, "How Living with the Nuer Changed My Life."

These photographs were taken by Ms. Svoboda in South Sudan: in Jikau, Nasir, Malakal, Fangak and elsewhere. Many of them were used to illustrate her first book, 'Cleaned the Crocodile's Teeth: Nuer Song' (Greenfield Review Press, 1985), which was selected as a 'Writer’s Choice' in the New York Times Book Review. She returned briefly to Juba in 2010 to meet with the Vice-President, Riek Machar.

Svoboda Nuer Scholarship

Terese Svoboda, a renowned author of poetry and prose, is offering $500-$2,000 to students of Nuer heritage in the Grand Island high school system. Svoboda is a native Nebraskan who has published thirteen books including her translation of Nuer song, “Cleaned The Crocodile’s Teeth,” which was selected “Writer’s Choice” in the New York Times Book Review. A one-year award, the scholarship may be awarded to one or more qualifying students who produce a song in the Nuer language.

For more information go here.

Terese Svoboda with Riek Machar Teny, the current
vice-president of Southern Sudan.

Buey Ray Tut

Buey Ray Tut was born in a small village in South Sudan called Maiwut. At the age of two Buey and his family fled to Ethiopia to escape a civil war that ravaged Sudan for over 20 years.  After several years of living in Ethiopia Buey’s father, John Ray Tut, was imprisoned by Ethiopia’s former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam for political reasons. Buey’s father was released in 1992 as Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) led by present day Prime Minister, Meles Zanawi. In 1995 Buey’s family was granted asylum in United States.

While attending Burke High School in Omaha, Nebraska, Buey joined Boy Scouts of America. During his senior year, Buey received his Eagle Scout Honor, the highest honor a Boy Scout can receive. Buey attended University of Nebraska at Omaha where he served at the captain of his speech and debate team and Vice President of the Student Body. Buey graduated with Political Science.

Buey founded Aqua-Africa, Inc., along with his childhood friend Jacob Khol at the age of 21. After three years of research and development, Aqua-Africa successfully drilled its first well in May of 2010. As the newest nation in the world, drilling the first well in a village called Langabu proved extraordinarily challenging. With the support of Buey’s family within the Sudanese government, Aqua-Africa was able to succeed in providing relief. “Aqua-braska,” as the first water well was named in honor of Nebraska donors, provides clean drinking water 1,000 Southern Sudanese. (See Aqua-Africa, Inc., Fact Sheet and brochure for more information.)

Buey’s professional career includes interning for Congressman Lee Terry, served as District Executive of Boy Scouts America Mid America Council, Omaha Library Board, South Sudan Community Association and is currently serving as the Executive Director of Aqua-Africa. Read more about Buey Ray Tut, Omaha World-Herald, August 8, 2010.

May 3 2011. Buey Tut offers a child in Langabu, South
Sudan, his first taste of clean drinking water.