In Linda Sue Park’s novel A Long Walk To Water, Salva Dut is the main protagonist of the story. He is a young Sudanese boy who is forced to flee his homeland due to civil war. Throughout the novel, readers are taken on a journey to discover where Salva lives and how he manages to survive the harsh realities of being a refugee. In this article, we explore Salva’s early life and his journey to Ethiopia.
Salva’s Early Life
Salva was born in the small village of Loun-Ariik in Sudan, located in the Nuer region. He was the youngest of nine children and lived with his family in a mud hut. His father was a cattle herder and his mother a farmer. Salva’s childhood was marked by the civil war that had been raging in Sudan since 1983. At the age of eleven, Salva was forced to flee his home and embark on a long journey in search of safety.
Salva’s Journey to Ethiopia
Salva’s journey to Ethiopia began with a long walk from his home in Sudan. He was accompanied by a group of other boys, all of whom were seeking refuge from the civil war. The group walked for miles, with no food or water, and eventually reached the border of Ethiopia. Once in Ethiopia, Salva and the other boys were placed in a refugee camp. It was here that Salva lived for the next three years, before being resettled in the United States.
Salva’s story is a powerful reminder of the plight of refugees and the difficult circumstances they face. Despite the hardships he endured, Salva was able to find safety and a new home in the United States. His journey is an inspiring example of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.