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Central Standard

Sudanese Refugees in KC

When South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan on July 9th 2011, it was the outcome of a peace deal that ended Africa’s longest running civil war; a war that resulted in millions of lives lost to ethnic and religious warfare. On this Central Standard, we explore the community of Sudanese refugees who now live in Kansas City.

We look at how these refugees stay connected with their home land while trying to adjust to a new city and culture and how they are trying to rebuild the South Sudan from afar. 

Our guests are Martin Okpareke, of Jewish Vocational Services, two Sudanese refugees, Rebecca Mabior and her husband John Akuei as well as their son Atem. The refugee family recently traveled back to the Sudan to show their son what their home country is like and help him in a project to provide school supplies to the children of South Sudan.

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Central Standard Sudansoup
As managing podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I want to feed your curious mind, offer historical context so you understand why things are the way they are, and introduce you to the people working to make a difference behind the scenes. Reach me at hogansm@kcur.org.
Matthew Long-Middleton has been a talk-show producer, community producer, Media Training Manager and now the Community Engagement Manager at KCUR. You can reach him at Matthew@kcur.org, or on Twitter @MLMIndustries.