Western Tigers player David Nyuol Vincent will launch his autobiography next month. The book tells the story of his life and the struggles he faced before coming to Australia. 82496 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By NATALIE GALLENTI
WHEN David Nyuol Vincent was only seven-years-old he was forced to leave his home in South Sudan and say goodbye to his mother and siblings.
At a time when most children are riding their bikes or playing with toys, Mr Vincent was gripping his father’s hand as they fled his war-ravaged homeland. For months the pair walked across southern Sudan barefoot and famished.
They survived the perilous Sahara desert crossing into Ethiopia, but were separated. David, still a young child, was left to fend for himself.
This was when Mr Vincent was taken in and trained as a child soldier, surviving the next 17 years of his life alone in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya.
Life was a relentless struggle, against starvation, against disease, and against people determined to kill him. He recalls countless times when he saw his friends die.
Now, almost three decades on, the People of Australia ambassador and Western Tigers player, has put pen to paper to tell his miraculous tale of survival in ‘The Boy Who Wouldn’t Die’.
“I always wanted to lock my past life away so I could create a new life, but by telling my story I can now move on,” Mr Vincent told Star.
And move on he has. After coming to Australia on a humanitarian Visa in 2004 as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, the 34-year-old has flourished. A father, university graduate, renowned public speaker and charity worker, Mr Vincent is now giving back to the community that offered him life and freedom.
Creator of the Peace Pallet, a not-for-profit organisation which works towards the empowerment of African communities, Mr Vincent hopes his story can inspire Australians, while also helping them better understand the struggles he, and thousands of other refugees, faced.
“Until today I still pinch myself. Sometimes I feel like this is not reality. I once made a promise that if I was lucky enough to come to Australia I would make a difference, so people wouldn’t have to go through what I went through.
“I appreciate every minute of my life.
“I haven’t lost track of my initial goal to better my life and the life of others.”
David, who admitted to being a soccer “celebrity” in his refugee camp in Kenya, said the Western Tigers bridged the gap for Sudanese people and offered them a great opportunity to become part of the wider community.
“Within a few years, we should have Sudanese playing in the Premier League or maybe even the Socceroos,” he said.
‘The Boy Who Wouldn’t Die’ will be launched at the Fitzroy Town Hall, Sunday 8 July.
