Desmond's project

India P.'s project

I thought one of the saddest moments in the book was when Tabitha was killed. Valentino's grief was immeasurable; he didn't even want to live. Plus, the fact that he had plans to continue in his love, with Tabitha, in the Afterlife. It was heartwarming and moving, their love being cut so short. Through all this, Valentino never had a chance to express his feeling to Duluma. Valentino even dreamt about physically hurting Duluma, but he never even had the opportunity to talk to him. I feel that if he was given the chance to tell him how he felt, he would've said the following.

Duluma, I know that Americans usually start their letters out with the word "Dear", but I feel that there is nothing "Dear" about you. Duluma you are a hateful, heartless, inhumane man. I have dreamt many dreams about your death, various torture methods that I have seen in Africa. This letter though, I hope haunts you forever. You took the most important person away from me, and this American jail is not enough punishment for you. I desire to know what snapped in you, what in your heart, could make you come to the home of a young mother with her child present, and stab Tabitha while holding a baby. As if stabbing Tabitha wasn't enough, you had to stab her 24 times! Why? Why, why, why, why? Duluma, you and I had talked before; you promised that you were over Tabitha. I knew you couldn't have moved on because of the cruel names that you used to describe Tabitha, the things that you said Tabitha had done. What built up in you that made you continually threaten Tabitha and then kill her? Did you feel that your life was in danger? Murder? I just cannot comprehend. What made you then trv to take vour own life? Was it because vou were afraid of orison, or did vou realize vour sin?

Were you fearful of the repayment from the gods? Were you happy to receive sympathy from doctors and passer byers in the hospital that were not yet aware of why you were in that certain predicament? I hope the people who reside with you in jail can become aware of what you have done. I hope that in some way you receive repayment for your sins, not only the murder, but the horrendous thoughts of murdering an innocent, young, happy woman. Death is not even enough for you and I am sad only because I cannot show you how I feel. I refuse though, to continue writing to a wicked human. Duluma, you are well aware of what you have done and now you know the affect it had on me. I hope this letter hunts you forever.

-Valentino Achak Deng

Shaniqua's Web Fansite Page of " What is the What"

Here is the website for the Fan Pg.

Shaniqua Web Fansite Page



And here is also the collage I made, which is also the background of the fan page





Shaniqua W.

Tinuke's Creative Response

Tinuke Awogbamila 10E
I decided to write a letter from Achak’s sister Ambithria, because I thought that the people who read what is the what should at least know what happen to one of Ackak’s siblings . I chose his sister because at the beginning of the book , Achak mentioned how much he liked her and like to lean on her.

Dear, Achak
I am so happy to known that you are alive . I miss you, mom , dad ,and the rest of our family . As you know I was by the river, when we were attacked by the murahaleen. I along with the rest of the girls at the river were immediately captured. I was so scared Achak. Scared for you, mom, scared for everybody in our village. I was tied and thrown to the back of a horse. I was confused ,when they did this . I thought that they would just killed me ,but they did not. Everybody was running in every direction. All the women and children were screaming. So was the murahaleen. I must have blanked out ,because when I opened my eyes it was almost night fall. A lot of other girls were tried on horses like I was. I saw Amath and her sisters. I also saw the twins at one points. I felt horrible. I was on my stomach and it was very uncomfortable. A lot of the girls were crying. I was not , I was in too much pain to cry. The Arab men who’s horse I was on was talking to another Arab man , about how much I was worth! At that point I realized that I was going to be sold in to slavery. That ‘s why they did not kill me , they wanted to make money off of me Achak. I had heard rumors that the Arabs enslaved the Dinkas, but I did not believe it . At that point ,thinking you and everybody else was dead ,I wished that I was dead too. I rather die than be enslaved by Arabs! When, it had become completely night ,the men decided to take a brake. They took us of the horses and made us lay on our stomachs. The Arabs quickly fell asleep. Either killing innocent people must be very tiring or they were not worrying about us running away. As they slept , I became very angry . Why were they doing this to us ? We did nothing to them .I begun to wiggle ,I wiggled until the rope that tied my hand became loose. The man that tied me did not do a very good job. When I was free, I did not move at first . I looked around to make sure that none of the Arabs saw me .When I was sure I got up and woke up Amath. She was about six girls down from me .I untied her . When I did this the girl next to Amath started screaming, “untie me too, Untie me too.” One of the man woke up and started to shoot .Me and Amath ran .We ran until the gun shots stopped. Amazingly nether of us were hit. I was so mad at the girl who was screaming ,she ruined the chance we had to free the other girls .Like we were not going to untie her, she is so stupid! She mad me so Mad! Amath and I walked for days . We walked until we reached a village .People were still at this village . The murahaleen did not come there yet .The villagers gave us food and we told them that the murahaleen were coming .They listen and immediately they rounded up the women and children . They said that we were going to kakuma, Kenya .They said that we would be safe there .We walked for many day and night .We arrived to one of the many refugee camps in kakuma. We were safe ,me Amath and the villagers. There I was and here I am still. I heard that you were alive through a man named Dut. He traveled from refugee camps to refugee camps .He said that you were very much alive .I gave this letter to him and if you are reading this I guess he must have delivered it. I miss you Achak.I miss you and very body very much. Even though me and Amath are safe at this camp, we miss Marial Bai . The news that you are alive has given me strength and hope , for maybe we may see each other again .
Love ,your big sister Ambithria .
P.S. Amath Misses you too.

From creating this letter , I learned that the war between the Arabs and Dinkas was more horrific than I could ever imagine. May God help the people who were effected by the war.
Tinuke A

I did this collage with a photo of Sudan in the back because that was where Valentino Achak Deng was born. I also put him in the center because this book was about his life and struggles. It is his biography. To the right, I added a picture of the UNHCR. This organization helped him stay safe and provided food for him. Also the Japanese government wanted to help sponsor them ,too. That is why I decided to put a picture of their flag up. The next picture down is a picture of the janjaweed, murahaleen, and the Sudanese government. The reason as to why there is fighting in Sudan. Down on the right corner is a picture of Jane Fonda, who at one point helped Valentino when he came to America. When he reached here, he lived and went to school in Georgia. Going up the collage, it is a picture of Sudan's desert. This was one of the dreadful trips that he had to cross. I think it is an important part of his life because that's when he witnessed one of his closest friend died. Friendship was important to Valentino because he didn't know if his own family is still alive. That is why the next picture is a broken heart. He grew up with out a family, friends dying on his left and right, and his beloved Tabitha is dead. Growing up, most of the friends he made was in the camps, which is up one the list. Without the safety of these sanctums, he might not be alive today. The last picture i have up is a picture of a young boy holding a gun. This represents Valentino's life as a boy when there was pressure on him to become one of the red army. This was, to believe, the "good guys" fighting for their independence. Turned out they were just as bad as the government. The collage that I made came in no particular order of events. I believe that everything that Achak's been through and why he did and the things that was put into his head is like my collage. There's no order, but it'

The non-fiction essay

Julie K. 10E

Non-Fiction Work

April 9, 2008

What is the What by Dave Eggers will definitely be one of the books that I will remember for the rest of my life. It got me to look into my life and see how fortunate I am and how many other people have to go through such traumatizing events at a very young age. Because Valentino Achak Deng, the main character of this novel form which this biography is based on, has shown me how he faced the life changing experiences, it made me become more aware of the politics, health, and environmental concerns in Africa and how it made me want to help the world even more.

I knew that there was a war going on in Africa in Darfur and Sierra Leone and about the diamonds, but I never knew how extreme it was. Nor did I know that a war like this had ever taken place in Sudan. When Valentino started explaining the war between the government and the SPLA it caused a chill down my spine. I always thought that the war was just run because of a crazy man in charge, but it was more than that. The war in Sudan was because of oil, religion, and land ownership. In it all, this was a brutality case of shedding civil blood among Africa’s own people. It’s sad to see the innocent, young, and defenseless citizens being killed.

When the first attaches came to the town, the main questions were “what is the what” and “what’s going to happen?” As Achak ran off to stay alive, he became restless, malnourished, and alone. I never want to hear or see a child go through what he went through. The lions in the night and the bodies in the river, the guns firing at you and bombs going off, and feeling like there’s no reason to live, but living after all, yet carrying a heavy conscience that blames you for everything that goes wrong, should never be the life for anyone to live. I think that the war represents all the “what”- the bad stuff. I fell bad that he and everyone else had to live through that and having to go to bed hungry. I wish that I could have done something, and now that I have read this book I have found out many ways of giving back and helping them.

The traveling across the desert and the feeling helpless was one of the fears that ran through Valentino’s head. I never understood what the purpose of sleeping in the circle was, if the lion came up it will still eat somebody, but to them it was a system that certainly worked. The environment that they had to endure was ugly. The heat was gruesome and the water was scarce. It made me mad that even though the nourishment was low, the SPLA still had the decency to take advantage of the kids even though they trusted the soldiers. The fact that women was treated as if they had no place in anything was common a few years ago, but at least they went to school, join the activities in the camp, and apply for the resettlement created a little relief in me.

I have never read a book like this before. Nor have I ever read a book or experienced anyone who has been through such traumas. I’m glad I chose this book over the other rest because it showed me another light in the world as far as Africa’s politics, the well being of some one else, and conditions of someone who have been in a more drastic predicament than myself.

Kelsy's blog

I choose to do a collage because I wanted to be able to see pictures and for other people to see pictures of the actual refugee camps, Valentino Achak Deng, and to see a little taste of how the Lost Boys lived, and how Valentino lived, and every one else that lived at the camps. The thing that inspired me to do this project or should I say who was Valentino. He is such a good person and an inspiration to everyone in my opinion. He over came so many challenges thoughout his life he is truely a extraordinary man. From actually seeing pictures of Valentino and the camps and the way these people live, I learned not to take any thing for granted. And to appreciate everything I have and the life I have and all the opportunities that are going to come my way in the future.

Kelsy K.

Response Question: what the What is

In Chapter XXV, Valentino has a conversation over CB radio with his father. Reread this section. Based on the conversation, what do you think Valentino's father thinks "the What" is? And how does this compare with your first ideas about "the What"? Do you think Valentino's father is giving him good advice by telling him to go get the What?

Response Question: Outside Influences on Sudan

In Chapter XXIII, the Japanese aid worker Noriyaki is approached by a refugee who mistakes him for being Malaysian and/or Chinese, and accuses his government of "making this war worse."

These issues are still big in the news today. Determine what the refugee's complaint was, and then search on the internet for a news article linking China and/or Malaysia with Sudan. Post the website, and explain briefly what you learned and whether you think these countries are ethical in their dealings with Sudan.

A good place to look for news articles is Google News Search:

http://news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn

Response Question: Help from the UNHCR

In his time at the Kakuma refugee camp, Valentino hears and thinks different things about the UNHCR -- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This is the group that is running the camp and providing food; they are still running camps today for refugees from Sudan (as well as other operations around the world.)

Consider the policies and procedures at Kakuma when Valentino is there. Then read about the UNHCR's program to bring the Sudanese back to their homeland:

http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/southsudan

What do you think about the UNHCR? Are they effective? Give specific examples about why you think the Sudanese refugees are better or worse off with the help of the UN.

Podcast of Lecture w/ Valentino & Dave

In case you didn't make it to the closing lecture of the One Book One Philadelphia campaign, the Free Library of Philadelphia has made it available as a podcast! Listen for Mayor Nutter's introduction!

Part of the 2008 One Book, One Philadelphia program, featured authors Dave Eggers and Mary Williams, with special guest Valentino Achak Deng, discuss the development of What Is the What. Williams played an important role in Deng's transition to life in the United States, introducing him to Eggers. Deng, who recently returned from a trip to Sudan, also shares an overview of his ongoing work to rebuild Marial Bai, the town he was forced to flee during the Second Sudanese Civil War.

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/podcast/?podcastID=77

Helpful Reader's Guide

In addition to the materials from the Free Library of Philadelphia, The Valentino Achak Deng Foundation has a "Reader's Guide" available for download on their website. It includes:

- A helpful list of different character and place names (and how they relate to each other)
- A brief history of the conflict(s) in Sudan
- A list of 10 things you can do to help make a difference in Sudan

Download here:

http://www.valentinoachakdeng.org/readers_guide.php

Response Question: "this stupid country" (256-367)

When Valentino finds out what happened to Tabitha in Chapter 21, his sponsor Bobby has a very intense reaction:

...many times during that drive he banged his steering wheel and yelled, and ran his hands through his hair.

"Maybe it's this stupid country," he said. "Maybe we just make people crazy."

Valentino does not directly reply to this comment. What do you think his opinion is? What are some of the ways that living the U.S. might make former Lost Boys & Girls "crazy"? For all that they escaped, what cultural differences and challenges might make things insane for them?

Response Question: War songs (256-367)

In Chapter 20, Valentino hears several songs that were composed for the "occasion" of a massacre. Find the lyrics of these songs in the book, and then pick one stanza (paragraph) from the book to read closely. Type the lyrics into your comment, then answer the following questions:
- what are the literal images or people in the song?
- what are the figurative images in the song?
- what's the purpose of this song? do you think it's effective?

Response Question: "The erased man" (256-367)

In Chapter 17, Valentino sees a white person for the first time. He and other boys in the camp have very specific reactions and ideas about this mysterious human. What are some of the things that are said? Why do you think the refugees put such faith in the presence of a white person?

The Amazing Grace Orphanage Tour

Thanks to Desmond, check out the video below. From YouTube:

"The Amazing Grace Orphanage is home to 27 Sudanese Orphans who survived the civil war in their home country. Sudan recently signed a peace agreement in the south. For more info visit: http://www.agorphanage.com or http://www.lahash.net/grace for more on Lahash projects in East Africa."



Note: This movie will not play on a Prep Charter computer. Get yourself to an un-blocked computer!

Visiting Sudan

Today, Valentino spends much of his time in his hometown of Marial Bai, helping rebuild and supporting the community. Dave Eggers has made several trips to Sudan, both during and after writing the book. From his essay about going there:

"The second day we were all in Aweil, we saw a massive parade making its way through the muddy streets of the downtown area. This was National Girls’ Education Day, a demonstration of youth commitment to education. The parade consisted of huge groups of students from various schools and nearby towns, all in school uniforms, marching with banners proclaiming the importance of entering and staying in school.

It was a very inspiring sight."

"In Aweil we visited the compound, formerly owned by relatives of Valentino, where he and his father spent time during the early days of the civil war.... Valentino points out where he and other children hid during raids by the Sudanese army. The hole in the sheet-metal door that Valentino is pointing to was caused by a Kalashnikov when Sudanese army soldiers fired on the compound, c. 1986."

To read more, visit: http://www.valentinoachakdeng.org/blog/?p=37

Response Question: Valentino's Troubles (137-256)

In Chapter 15, Achor Achor finally finds Valentino in the apartment, but their troubles do not end there. What -- or who -- make it hard for these two refugees to deal with the robbery and Valentino's injuries? How does Valentino respond the unfair treatment he receives, and all of the bad things that have happened to him? How would you react if you had so many bad things happen to you? Where would you find the strength to continue?

About the SPLA

The SPLA is the Sudan People's Liberation Army; their political wing is the SPLM (Sudan People's Liberation Movement."

According to Wikipedia, "the SPLA/M is largely Southern Sudan-based, non-Arabic and secular, in contrast to the predominantly Muslim and Arab north. As a rebel group it was formed in 1983 by rebellious south Sudanese soldiers of the Sudanese Army... It was founded by Colonel Dr John Garang, Captain Salva Kiir Mayardit, Major William Nyuon Bany and Major Kerubino Kuanyin Bol. SPLA/M's declared aim was to establish a democratic Sudan with it as the leading party in control of the southern areas. The war has been largely described in religious and ethnic terms, and also as a struggle for control of the water and oil resources located in the southern and the western Sudan."

Pictured above: Colonel John Garang, later Vice President of Sudan.

To learn more, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan_People's_Liberation_Army

Response Question: the SPLA (137-256)

While walking to Ethiopia, Valentino and the other Lost Boys see and hear about the SPLA, or Sudan People's Liberation Army. There is much interest in the army, and pressure for the boys to join them. What are some reasons the boys want to join, and what are some of the reasons Dut discourages them from joining?

Response Question: American Aid (137-256)

In Chapter 13, we hear about the many different Americans who have helped Valentino and other Lost Boys get settled in the United States. However, these relationships are not always free of problems, nor are they always helpful.

Choose one American who has helped Valentino, and explain what good they did -- and also what they were unable to do for him, what they failed at. Do you think they did enough? Do you think you could do the same (or more, or less) if given the chance?

Response Question: Horrors of War (1-137)

When the fighting begins in his hometown in Marial Bai, Valentino witnesses many horrible events. Which fact or experience of Valentino's do you find the most cruel, and why? Be specific!

Response Question: What IS the What? (1-137)

In Chapter 6, Valentino's father tells the story about "the What" and how that affected his tribe's history. Based on the story, what do YOU think "the What" could be? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Back up your argument with support from the book.

Response Question: Your Dream Day (1-137)

In Chapters 3 and 4, Valentino describes what his "dream day" in his home village of Marial Bai was like. Write about at least one specific thing from his dream day. Would you choose a similar thing to happen in your dream day? Why or why not?

Reader Response :: Telling Stories, Writing Stories

In the preface of the novel, Valentino Achak Deng describes how the writing of What is the What was a collaboration between himself and the author. Valentino told Dave Eggers as much as he could remember, and Eggers "created this work of art" (xiv).

Valentino's strength is telling stories out loud, while Eggers makes a living writing stories down.

How do you prefer to tell stores -- with spoken words, or with written words? Do you think one format is better than the other, and why?

Reader Response :: Telling Silent Stories

In Chapter 3, Valentino explains that,

When I first came to this country, I would tell silent stories. I would tell them to people who had wronged me... You do not understand, I would tell them. You would not add to my suffering if you knew what I had seen... The stories emanate from me all the time I am awake and breathing, and I want everyone to hear them. (29)

If Valentino wants "everyone to hear" his stories, then why doesn't he just say them out loud? Why would his stories be "silent"?

Why do you think he eventually get involved in the creation of What is the What?

Reader Response :: What it takes to be American

In Chapter 13, Valentino and other immigrant "Lost Boys" go to an Atlanta Hawks game and see Manute Bol play. Afterwards, Bol gives a speech to the Sudanese group. He tells them to be "model immigrants" and that if they conducted themselves with "dignity, restraint, and ambition" in their new home, they would be accepted by Americans (169).

Do you think Bol gave them good advice? Are there other qualities that you think are more important?

What does being a "model immigrant" mean, exactly? Do you strive to be a "model immigrant" or a "model citizen"?