Help James Pursue His Social Work Education

My name is James Mathiang, and I am a former child soldier and war survivor from Sudan. My journey has been marked by immense challenges and resilience. I am a proud father to three boys; two of them live in Canada, while my youngest son is currently in Cairo, Egypt, staying with his mother as refugees.

At just eight years old, I faced a life-altering experience when I sustained a gunshot wound to my left hand during a time of violence and instability in my home country. This injury resulted in a permanent deformity of my left wrist, a constant reminder of my traumatic past. I often reflect on how fortunate I am to have survived when so many young boys and girls, some as young as seven, tragically lost their lives.

Between 2000 and 2009, the governments of the United States, Australia, and Canada welcomed tens of thousands of Sudanese lost boys and girls as refugees in a compassionate effort to offer us a second chance at life. I am grateful to be one of the lost boys who was given the opportunity to immigrate to Canada. However, despite the unwavering support from local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community churches, the lost boys and girls of Sudan faced numerous obstacles. These included financial instability, trauma from our past experiences, and a lack of accessible educational funding.

In the face of these difficulties, I, along with other survivors, made the decision to pursue an education. Our journey began with learning English as a second language as we aimed to integrate into our new communities and succeed academically. In 2011, I was honored to be admitted to the University of Calgary, where I set my sights on a degree in International Development. After years of hard work and dedication, I proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2014.

Upon graduating, I found employment as a family support worker at a homeless shelter. While this role was fulfilling, my financial situation was strained, as 20% of my income went towards repaying student loans. My struggles were further compounded in 2017 when my mother fell seriously ill. The costs associated with her medical care created a heavy financial burden, and I soon found myself unable to keep up with my student loan payments. Consequently, I fell into default, which significantly hindered my future prospects and limited my ability to invest in my education.

Despite these setbacks, my passion for education and helping others remained strong. In 2024, I made the decision to return to school to pursue a Master of Clinical Social Work at the University of Calgary, with a focus on trauma and its impact on practice. Having lived through trauma and grappled with PTSD myself, I felt a deep commitment to be part of the recovery and healing process for others who have faced similar challenges. I aspire to be a peace advocate, helping individuals and communities overcome their struggles.

Currently, I am juggling multiple jobs, working both full-time job during the day and part-time night shifts to support my family in Cairo and my two children in Canada. While I strive to provide for them, I am also working hard to continue my education which has been immensely challenging with my current work schedule. My family and I are in desperate need of support, seeking a miracle that would help us cover the costs of my schooling and assist in paying off my previous student loans. Your generosity and support could make a profound difference in our lives, allowing me to continue my journey toward healing and education while providing for my family.

Ultimately, supporting the education aspirations of former child soldiers like me is more than just a charitable act; it is a moral imperative and a strategic investment for sustainable peace and development. It is far more beneficial to empower individuals, reintegrate them into society, and develop nations when the potential benefits outweigh the costs.

As part of my mission to share my story around the world, I have written a book titled "Education on the Road: My journey from child soldier to global citizen." It is currently in the process of being published and will be available by spring.