From Sudan to the Heartland WE got next

[Omaha Steve]

PHOTOS BY KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Passing it on. Young men who grew up on basketball playgrounds around Omaha hand down their expertise to younger players coming up. Pictured on a recent Sunday in Pulaski Park in South Omaha are, back row under hoop: Duol Mayot, Jal Pan and Kim Doluony. Center row: Jimma James, Koang Doluony, Sam Bongiman, Duol Ruot, Lok Lok, Duol Juk, Chudier Gach, Goy Doluony, Kon Chol, Mawal Mamer and Ty Gatouch. Front row: Reath Jiech, Agany Mayan, Kan Pan, Ruon Wal Chol, Kon Chol and Goamer Choul.

The growing Sudanese population has already added a chapter to the diverse and rich history of hoops in Omaha. But there is more to be written, and much of it will go far beyond basketball, if the vision of some comes to fruition.


http://dataomaha.com/documents/we-got-next

By Jon Nyatawa / World-Herald staff writer

No one told the 9-year-old boy what was in the small box.

He was cautious. War tends to breed timidity, especially in those driven by desperation to flee the land of their ancestors for the unknown, convinced survival is in doubt without the help of others.

But he was safe now. The airplane landed in New York City. And a lady with a nice smile had given Koang Doluony a colorful container, just large enough for him to stuff his whole hand into if he could only figure out how to open it.

Welcome to America.

FULL story at link. Video: http://studio.omaha.com/?ndn.trackingGroup=91341&ndn.siteSection=omahawh&ndn.videoId=28754880&freewheel=91341&sitesection=omahawh&vid=28754880