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Fr. Nathan Wendt, S.J. and Joe Feldkamp welcome John Dau Dhieu-Deng Leek and Darlene Anderson.
In a momentous visit that stirred hearts and minds, John Dau Dhieu-Deng Leek, renowned humanitarian and one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, brought his extraordinary story and transformative message to Xavier Jesuit Academy on October 28 and 29. Best known for his journey chronicled in the award-winning documentary God Grew Tired of Us, Dau’s presence uplifted the school community and offered a living testament to the power of education, faith, and service.
On October 28, Dau addressed a packed room of 165 supporters and donors, sharing his harrowing escape from civil war, his years in refugee camps, and the pivotal role education played in his survival and success. The next morning, he met with students in grades 3–6, many of whom had studied A Long Walk to Water and Brothers in Hope, books inspired by his life. For these young learners, meeting Dau was like stepping into the pages of history; an unforgettable encounter that made the lessons of resilience and hope vividly real.
“Education Is My Mother and My Father”
Dau’s words resonated with poetic clarity and urgency. “Education is my mother and my father,” he told the audience, explaining how learning nourished and protected him when everything else was stripped away. “It gives you food, it gives you shelter, it gives you dignity. Everything that makes life easier comes from education.”
Having fled his village at age 12 and walked hundreds of miles to safety, Dau eventually arrived in the U.S. in 2001. Since then, he has founded the John Dau Foundation, which has built 19 health facilities in South Sudan, including the Duk Lost Boys Hospital, bringing life-saving care to thousands.
Building Communities That Endure
Dau’s message extended beyond personal triumph to communal transformation. “A lasting community begins with one person,” he said. “You become the guide, the spark. Then you’re two, then five, then fifty. Before you know it, you’ve built something that lasts.”
He emphasized that vibrant communities require more than shared goals; they need joy, creativity, and shared experience. “A community must laugh, sing, play, grieve, and celebrate together. That’s how bonds are formed. That’s how legacies are built.”
Faith as the Unshakable Foundation
At the heart of Dau’s journey is resolute faith. “Your faith in the Lord must be your foundation,” he said. “It’s what carries you through the storms.” He shared how Isaiah 43:1 when God passes through safely, even on paths never traveled before, became his anchor as a child in a refugee camp, a verse that continues to guide him today.
A Mission in Perfect Harmony
“John’s message resonates powerfully with Xavier Jesuit Academy’s mission of forming ‘Men for Others’ through faith-based education rooted in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition,” said Fr. Nathan Wendt, S.J. “We could not have asked for a more inspiring embodiment of our values.”
Now in its second year, Xavier Jesuit Academy serves young men from Bond Hill and surrounding neighborhoods through the Jesuit Nativity school model, offering extended school days, small class sizes, and long-term support that continues well beyond graduation.
The school’s commitment to care for the whole person, found a living example in Dau’s life. “Your community is this school,” he told students. “Start here, and let your impact ripple outward into Cincinnati and beyond.”
A Call to Action
John Dau’s visit was more than an event, it was a call to action. For Xavier Jesuit Academy, it reaffirmed the transformative power of faith, education, and service. For journalists and readers alike, it’s a story of courage, conviction, and the kind of leadership that changes lives.
