“South Sudanese orphans, widows and disables are now the baggers on streets,“ Author Abeny Kucha Tiir

Abeny Mathayo Kucha is a single mother who survived the civil war and genocide in South Sudan and immigrated to the United States. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked at the Mayo Clinic for almost ten years as a surgical procession tech. She is the mother of two daughters, Atong the oldest and Aduot, who unfortunately died in the war at four. Atong recently graduated from law school in May 2012. Her mother is proud to say what a joy it was to see her accomplish her dreams of becoming a lawyer because few refugees children finish high school, let alone attend college. Abeny also has 3 sons Kut, Jok and Mathayo and one grandson, Malachi. She lives in Lincoln, NE, with her sons, while her daughter lives in Minnesota with her son Malachi. Abeny Kucha's first book about her life while living in Sudan and the journey she endured to get to the U.S back in Sudan; women are not considered important or sometimes seen as a "nobody".

Enhanced image of Author Abeny and the cover of her book

If two men were to meet up with each other and notice a women walk by, it's as if he didn't see at all, or refer to her as just a woman, worthless. Most Sudanese men would be surprised to find out that a Sudanese woman had the courage to write a book. It is the authors decision to let not only the Sudanese women but all women realize how important they are in this world just as much as the men. This book is a way she wanted to praise God for all he has done for her and to show people that if you put your mind to something you can be successful, even if English is your second language. Abeny came to Australia to visit some of her family members and we were able to conduct this interview while in South Australia.