Deseret News | 5th-graders learn life lessons from refugee

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5th-graders learn life lessons from refugee

Anonymous | 8:35 p.m. Sept. 18, 2009

Please add capacity on this comment board so we can say what we want to, I just lost about 600 words

Thank you

All I want to say is, it could look or sound unheared history for some American kids whom never been through such a thing but if you give a chance some other Africans to tell their history, you will might hear the worst one which sound like a movie where mind and physical involved in the entire process of coming to America.

nice | 6:10 a.m. Sept. 19, 2009

Great story
Great learning for the kids. All the kids are white with a black guy - life is beautiful! I am tired of reading about racism.
Wow, study statistics? Yai is one smart dude - I hate statistic, cuz I flunked

Sarah | 8:38 a.m. Sept. 19, 2009

This is why I have a hard time with Americans who complain and say that they have no opportunity to make something of their lives. This is a story about a man who took nothing for granted and took every good opportunity to improve himself. I have worked with refugees from south east asia and they have done the same without having a firm grasp of the English language. I am so proud of the accomplishments of immigrants who come to America legally. They are given all the benefits that America has to offer. Those who come here illegally or squander what America has to offer only cheat themselves of what could have been.

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Grandmother | 8:55 a.m. Sept. 19, 2009

It is good for children, especially children of privilege, as most of our children are, to hear about others in the world, and their struggles.

Perhaps more of these will diminish the hate talk, racism and vitriolic diatribes that are too much in the public discourse these days.

Are we really the land of the free and the home of the brave? If so, then we ought to have more compassion for the poor and oppressed of this world. Association with a refugee can open your eyes.

Sheila | 9:41 a.m. Sept. 19, 2009

When the Lost Boys came to Utah I was a volunteer helping the boys get settled into a new environment.
It was a very rewarding experience. Where ever I travel I look up these young men through the IRC and they get the young men together for me to meet. My next journey is to go to Arizona where there are about 500 of these refugees in Phoenix and Tucson. After leaving Utah for 3 years I am now back here and have seen alot of the women.

Dissapointed | 8:35 p.m. Sept. 19, 2009

His message is more political than Obama, yet he is given the free reign to come into a classroom and speak. Talk about hipocrisy in our state.

Thank you! | 4:58 p.m. Sept. 21, 2009

Terrific article! And kudos to the parents that support understanding and compassion rather than stereotyping and prejudice.

zach and josh | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009

We are kids who go to Jres and saw the annoucement. We were inspired by the announcement. We loved it and were shocked that he's healthy and still on his feet. We also can't beleive that he crossed the desert when he was five barefoot. We hope to see them again soon. We love Jiel so much. From Zachary Eckman and Joshuel Calderon

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7 photos

Mike Terry, Deseret News

Jiel Michael Yai, far left, chats Friday with Jeremy Ranch Elementary School fifth-graders Alexis Hurtado (blue striped shirt), Chloe Colaizzi (navy striped shirt) and Megan Turnlund (light blue and green striped shirt). Pairing up with the Chier Foundation, Yai visits schools to talk to children about his experiences in the hopes that addressing problems begin with addressing the future leaders of the world. Students were able to ask questions and learn more about the experiences of the thousands of refugees known as "Lost Boys."

Gallery (7 photos)