Chapter 12

Summary

This chapter intertwines the stories of Naya and Salva, two young individuals enduring hardship amidst conflict and displacement. Naya’s village in Southern Sudan is caught up in a drilling operation that brings strangers and unfamiliar machinery, while Salva, a refugee in Ethiopia, faces the devastating loss of his family and the collapse of his temporary home. As Salva learns of the camp's closure and the imminent threat of being driven out, he is forced to confront both the physical dangers of crossing a crocodile-infested river and the emotional weight of surviving alone. Their stories highlight resilience, loss, and hope in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Takeaways

• 😀 A giant red giraffe drill arrives in Southern Sudan in 2009, brought by two men with a crew and trucks carrying equipment and pipes.
• 😀 Villagers, including Nya's mother, collect rocks and stones, tying them into bundles to be carried to the drilling site as part of the project.
• 😀 The villagers work together to break rocks into gravel using borrowed tools, although Nya doesn’t fully understand the purpose of the gravel piles.
• 😀 The sound of drilling and hammering becomes a daily background noise for Nya, marking a shift from the peacefulness of her village to industrial activity.
• 😀 Salva, a refugee in Ethiopia in 1985, is emotionally devastated by the realization that his family is gone, killed in the violence that destroyed their village.
• 😀 Salva recalls his uncle’s advice from the desert: to keep moving forward step by step, which helps him cope with his overwhelming grief and uncertainty.
• 😀 Salva accepts that he is now alone, but he holds onto the hope that his family would want him to survive and build a future in their memory.
• 😀 Salva spends six years in the refugee camp, surviving through hardship and uncertainty as rumors of the camp’s closure grow.
• 😀 At the age of 17, Salva learns that the Ethiopian government is collapsing, and foreign aid groups may no longer be able to operate the refugee camps.
• 😀 The arrival of soldiers and the ensuing chaos force the refugees to flee, driving them toward the Guylo River, known for its treacherous current and crocodiles.

Q & A

What is the significance of the giraffe drill brought to the village?

The giraffe drill represents a new hope for the villagers, as it is part of an effort to drill for water. Its arrival signals a possible improvement in their living conditions, as the village is struggling with a lack of clean water.

How do Nya and the other women contribute to the drilling project?

Nya and the other women gather rocks and stones from the surrounding area and carry them to the drilling site. These rocks are used to break into gravel, which is necessary for the drilling operation. Their work is crucial in preparing the site for the machinery.

What is the emotional state of Salva at the beginning of the transcript?

At the beginning, Salva is overwhelmed by grief and despair. He has lost his family, and he feels utterly alone, grappling with the realization that he may never see them again. He is emotionally devastated but finds a spark of hope when he recalls his uncle's words of survival.

What does Salva realize about his family?

Salva realizes that his family is gone. His family members were either killed by war, famine, or disease, and they are not coming back. This realization is a turning point for Salva, who now understands that he must survive on his own.

How does Salva cope with his loss and the challenges he faces?

Salva begins to cope with his loss by adopting a mindset of survival. He focuses on one day at a time, following his uncle's advice to take things step by step. This method allows him to endure the harsh conditions of the refugee camp and the uncertainty of his future.

What is the significance of the Guyo River in the context of the refugee crisis?

The Guyo River represents both a physical and symbolic barrier for the refugees. As they are being driven out of the camp by soldiers, they are forced toward the river, which is swollen by the rainy season. The river’s merciless current and the threat of crocodiles make it a dangerous crossing point, highlighting the perilous nature of their journey.

What role do the aid workers play in Salva's experience?

The aid workers provide information and assistance to the refugees, including Salva. However, as the Ethiopian government begins to collapse, they become less able to guarantee the safety or future of the camps. Salva learns about the uncertainty of their situation through conversations with the aid workers.

How does the conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan affect the refugees in the camps?

The conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan creates instability for the refugees. As the Ethiopian government collapses, the refugee camps are no longer supported, leading to fear and chaos. The refugees are forced to flee, and many are driven back toward the dangerous Guyo River and Sudan.

What does Salva’s inner monologue reveal about his character development?

Salva's inner monologue reveals a transformation from despair to a determined will to survive. Although he feels immense sadness and loneliness, he begins to focus on the future, believing that his family would want him to continue living. His resilience grows as he learns to take life one day at a time.

What role does the environment (rain, river, and crocodiles) play in the narrative?

The environment plays a significant role in intensifying the challenges the refugees face. The rain makes travel more difficult, the swollen river represents a deadly obstacle, and the presence of crocodiles adds a life-threatening danger to an already perilous journey. The natural elements highlight the refugees' vulnerability and the harshness of their struggle.