Kevin Baum

To most, willfully leaving a colorful, dry, clement establishment and entering an achromatic, chilling, "my-socks-are-wet-through-my-shoes" evening would seem utterly unappealing. But on Sunday it's easy to see on the elated faces of those at 826 Chicago, author Dave Eggers' non-profit writing and tutoring center on Milwaukee Avenue, that this event is drowning out the insipid weather.

The room--tan-, orange- and green-striped--cradles twice its comfortable capacity with intent listeners. Author Dave Eggers and Valentino Achak Deng enter through the back door, here to discuss "What Is the What," the collaborative book based on Deng's experiences and how he fled Sudanese militias that terrorized Southern Sudan. (Proceeds from the nonfiction book benefit Sudanese refugees.)

After the heartfelt applause for the guests fades, Eggers prompts Deng, in turn leading the audience into a serious, yet burnished discussion briefly pinpointing a handful of tales of the young "Lost Boy"--a term for the young men held in camps during the Sudanese civil war. Ears stand tall as Deng elaborates on Eggers' setups, explaining how militias would contaminate their food, supplies and water, kill ruthlessly and burn villages to the ground.

"And then they would just leave," Deng says, to the shock of the crowd.

"[Valentino's] story is fascinating," says Sophie Charles, an attendee who works for the Heartland Human Care Service International Refugee Center. "We see a lot of these people, these `Lost Boys.'"

This summer, Deng says he'll visit his home region of Marial Bai to aid in the construction of his Literacy Center, a facility which will house the first library of his region, and also offer other educational/tutorial outlets.

"When you were clapping for me I was clapping for you," Deng says, grinning ear to ear. "I think it's time we all clap for ourselves."

(2007-01-16)

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