<div>Hi! My name is Phil Cox, I'm a British filmmaker and journalist and I want to tell you about two extraordinary young boys from Sudan I came to know and why I think they deserve our support. Lokain and Wilson, before the recent war in Sudan, were from one of the toughest slums in the capital Khartoum, called Jebarona. I met them two years ago aged 10 and 11 when I was making a feature documentary with brilliant <a href="https://www.khartoummovie.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sudanese directors called KHARTOUM</a>
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<div>This film had its world premiere at the prestigious <a href="https://film-fest-report.com/sundance-2025-poster-and-first-clips-for-world-cinema-documentary-contender-khartoum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sundance film festival</a> and then Berlin film festival 2025 - winning the Berlinale Peace Prize. One of the stories in this film is about Lokain and Wilson and their lives as bottle collectors on the streets of Khartoum. I was introduced to them by my co-director Rawia, who said she found two incredible boys, best friends, who worked all day for a very special dream, oh AND they often RODE A LION through their neighborhood. I went to meet them and learnt they worked day and night to save up for a dream - to buy two colorful smart shirts they could one day wear and look beautiful. 'And the lion' I asked? Yes they rode a lion but adults could not see it, for adults were stupid and could not see what children could see. A short time later, a terrible civil war broke out in Sudan and all us filmmakers and millions of citizens had to escape the country. Khartoum became a burning and violent city. We lost touch with the boys for months until we made contact with someone in their neighborhood and learnt they had been press ganged by militias to camouflage their attack cars. They suffered daily beatings. Led by director Rawia, we devised a plan over months to help Lokain and Wilson escape to Nairobi in Kenya with some of their family. A daring perilous journey and the boys finally arrived thin, exhausted and angry at the adult world.
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<div>Over months we looked after them and they became more of their old selves - funny, sharp, resilient and defiant. Lokain and Wilson demanded we 'finish our film' - 'why were we taking so long?!' - and so we did just that! Our part documentary, part animated film is finally completed, and includes a leaping lion with two fearless boys on its back, racing through the streets of Khartoum to audiences around the world. The war in Sudan has displaced over twelve million people and 26 million are facing a hunger crisis. As filmmakers we cannot help everyone - but we can help Lokain and Wilson and others, who despite the horrors they have witnessed, still see the world as children, full of magic and possibility. If you are able to donate, each donation will go to the registered education charity <a href="https://www.reactweb.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">R.E.A.C.T</a> . Donations will directly be allocated to give Lokain and Wilson secure long term housing with guardians, school fees and access to a trauma recover events like sport and therapy - together with another child in our film called Rita. Funds will also be considered for other children suffering war trauma and educational needs. $2100 USD will give all three schooling for a year. $4000 will support their accommodation and food whilst another $1800 will allow them access to uniforms, football clubs and treats of day trips. We would like to do MORE! but this would be an amazing start towards a goal of a four year commitment. Lokain and Wilson taught us many things and we want to now support them rebuild new lives in safety. If you are able - please consider supporting also. Every dollar, pound or euro will go to help these special children have a better future. Thank you.
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<div>Lokain and Wilson collecting plastic in Khartoum 2022
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<div>Lokain &amp; Wilson getting ready to tell their story 2024
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<div>Lokain &amp; Wilson in safety in Kenya with Sudanese filmmaker Rawia Alhag
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Anonymous

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