The boy who never gave up
Subtitle: a refugee's epic journey to triumph
By: Dr Emmanuel Taban with Andrew Crofts
Contributors: Crofts, Andrew, 1953- author
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Published: 2021
Place of publication: Johannesburg; Cape Town
Language: eng
Number of pages: 248
ISBN-13: 9781776191260
Subjects: Physicians; Biography; Immigrants; Emigration and immigration; Refugees; History
Description: "In 1994, 16-year-old Emmanuel Taban walked out of war-torn Sudan with nothing and nowhere to go after he had been tortured at the hands of government forces, who falsely accused him of spying for the rebels. When he finally managed to escape, he literally took a wrong turn and, instead of being reunited with his family, ended up in neighbouring Eritrea as a refugee. Over the months that followed, young Emmanuel went on a harrowing journey, often spending weeks on the streets and facing many dangers. Relying on the generosity of strangers, he made the long journey south to South Africa, via Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, travelling mostly by bus and on foot. When he reached Johannesburg, 18 months after fleeing Sudan, he was determined to resume his education. He managed to complete his schooling with the help of Catholic missionaries and entered medical school, qualifying as a doctor, and eventually specialising in pulmonology. Emmanuel's skill and dedication as a physician, and his stubborn refusal to be discouraged by setbacks, led to an important discovery in the treatment of hypoxaemic COVID-19 patients. By never giving up, this son of Sudan has risen above extreme poverty, racism and xenophobia to become a South African legend. This is his story."--Page 4 of cover.
Table of contents: title: Money from the sky; title: A studious boy; title: Life and death in Juba; title: Abduction and torture; title: Stuck in Asmara; title: On the streets of Addis Ababa; title: Fighting off thieves and snakes; title: A home with the Combonis; title: A single-minded student; title: Becoming a doctor; title: - A sad reunion; title: Trying to make a difference in South Sudan; title: A wedding and a funeral; title: Farewell to my father; title: On the front line of a pandemic.