In the early 1980s, civil war in Sudan intensified. Northern Sudanese militia soldiers invaded Southern Sudan, massacred villages and stole childhood away from thousands of Southern Sudanese children. Young boys who were herding cattle away from home escaped the massacre. When they saw their homes on fire and soldiers advancing towards them, they started running for their lives. At first, each boy was on his own, over time, these young boys gathered and formed an alliance, walking together to survive. These young boys are commonly known to Westerners as the "Lost Boys."

Many of these young boys were driven from their homes when they were little more than toddlers. The hardships these young men went through are unimaginable. To escape from the soldiers, they had to walk hundreds of miles barefoot, over desert, and through forests where many were killed by lions. During their journey, the young boys had to hide in trees at night to avoid being preyed upon by the wild animals in the forests. Sometimes, to survive, they chew on tree leaves and even swallowed wet mud and drank their own urine. They finally made their way to refugee camps in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, after 3 years, civil war erupted in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian militia army drove the boys to the border and forced them to swim across the Gilo River. Many boys could not swim and drowned. Some of the boys were eaten by crocodiles, and many more were shot by the soldiers before they reached the opposite bank. The boys were driven back to Sudan where the nightmare repeated - the Northern Sudanese soldiers sought them out once again. The journey to survive led them to Kenya and finally, with help from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), about 18,000 of the surviving lost boy were settled at the Kakuma Refugee Camp. After a decade, some of them had the chance to be re-settled in the United States.

Many of the "lost boys" now settling in North Texas are sponsored by Refugees Services of North Texas, International Rescue Committee, Catholic Charities and other Christian churches. Local volunteers help the "lost boys" acclimate to their lives in Texas. Everything is new to these refugees. They have never lived in an environment where food, electricity and water are readily available. Their Texan hosts guide them on every step of their way, from grocery shopping to finding employment to learning how to drive. The "lost boys" arrived in America, each with a small backpack and $40 cash. They are given financial aid for their journey to the United States, but they have to pay back the money as soon as they arrive in America. Like most Americans, the "lost boys" start out in debt. The Sudanese young men have a limited time to get settled and to find jobs before their financial assistance runs dry.

Not Lost tells the stories of these young men's lives in North Texas and the admirable volunteers who have been working tirelessly with them. The documentary addresses questions such as - what are the "lost boys"' aspirations now that they are given a new opportunity? What have they discovered about human nature through this long journey? Is life in North Texas happier? Or perhaps modern convenience is not where true happiness can be found? Is America the true "promised land" to these refugees? Interviews with the volunteers examine not only what the "lost boys" have gained from their mentoring but also what the volunteers have learned from these young men who have experienced one of the most protracted civil wars in modern history.

Not Lost also explores personal accounts of the "lost boys"' survival and how, in reality, they are not lost. Through their journey, they have formed a strong family amongst themselves. Many "lost boys" do not consider themselves as lost, they don't mind being called the "lost boys" by the media but they certainly don't take it literally.

The documentary has interviewed experts on African history and culture, such as Dr. Dennis Cordell, Ph.D. from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, to help provide background information on why the civil war erupted. Interviews with Sudanese elders, including Mr. Philip Boldit and Mr. Elias Wakoson, provide some first-hand account of the war and the situation in Sudan. Aide workers like Ms. Julianne Duncan, Ph.D., who had worked with the "lost boys" in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, also helps to provide some insights on the "lost boys'" experiences in Africa.

As young adults, many "lost boys" are also interested in relationships and they wonder if they will get married one day. But, in this new environment where they are still trying to figure things out, they are not sure if American girls will accept them or if they should marry American girls at all. The audience learns about the Sudanese young men's culture, the courage that has pushed them this far and the social and psychological challenges these young men are facing. The camera documents the progress and changes that have since taken place - are these young men getting acclimated or are they facing an identity crisis in this new environment?

The "lost boys"' amazing journey of Biblical proportion has caught international media attention. Many people are interested in what the "lost boys" have been through, however, the second part of the story has never been told. Not Lost is telling that part of the story, which is taking place right now in our neighborhood. The project is unique in its focus on North Texas. Being focused on a single region, the documentary is able to develop a deeper content. Unlike formulated network TV newsmagazine shows, Not Lost goes beyond short clips of story and summarized voice narration. The audience will actually see footage of the "lost boys" at home and work, dealing with problems as they arise and sharing happiness with friends they have found in their new home.

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