Sudanese-born supermodel goes back to South Sudan, the country she was forced to flee during the civil war.
Alek Wek -- from South Sudan with love —
Sudanese-born supermodel goes back to South Sudan, the country she was forced to flee during the civil war.
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Young girls are particularly vulnerable. An United Nations Refugee Agency report says a South Sudanese girl is three times more likely to die in childbirth than reach eighth grade.
South Sudan's 1st anniversary —
Young girls are particularly vulnerable. An United Nations Refugee Agency report says a South Sudanese girl is three times more likely to die in childbirth than reach eighth grade.
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Today, Alek Wek is a world famous supermodel, featured in magazines and on catwalks. Yet in the early 90s, Wek and her family were penniless refugees forced to leave their home.
Alek Wek -- from a child refugee to a supermodel —
Today, Alek Wek is a world famous supermodel, featured in magazines and on catwalks. Yet in the early 90s, Wek and her family were penniless refugees forced to leave their home.
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South Sudan celebrated the first anniversary of its independence in July.
South Sudan celebrates 1st anniversary —
South Sudan celebrated the first anniversary of its independence in July.
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Alek Wek went back to South Sudan to celebrate the country's first year of independence.
Alek Wek visits South Sudan —
Alek Wek went back to South Sudan to celebrate the country's first year of independence.
B.Sokol/UNHCR
The UNHCR is still operating in South Sudan.
Refugees in South Sudan —
The UNHCR is still operating in South Sudan.
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"South Sudanese people are rich like the soul of their nation," Wek says. "What they lack in training they make up in sheer willpower."
Hospital in Juba —
"South Sudanese people are rich like the soul of their nation," Wek says. "What they lack in training they make up in sheer willpower."
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As a member of the South Sudanese diaspora, Alek Wek says she hopes to help rebuild the nation. "Education projects in my hometown of Wau are threatened because the organization can only do so much," she says.
Alek Wek —
As a member of the South Sudanese diaspora, Alek Wek says she hopes to help rebuild the nation. "Education projects in my hometown of Wau are threatened because the organization can only do so much," she says.
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