Koor Garang speaks to students at St. Gregory School.

As a child living in a refugee camp in Ethiopia, Koor Garang saw compatriots lose their lives to starvation, disease and wild animals.

But Garang, known as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, survived. He recently returned from Africa, where he provided medical care to villagers.

Garang, 24, is one of about 60 former Lost Boys living in Tucson. Many will run or walk Sunday in the Race for the Sudanese Promise Fund, to raise money to help cover educational costs for the refugees.

Last week, Garang told his story and showed slides of his work in Sudan to students at St. Gregory College Preparatory School. Among the images was one (below) capturing his reunion with his father, whom he had not seen in 18 years.

Another among Tucson’s ranks, Manyak “Peter” Ayuen, explained how they came to be called the “Lost Boys.”

“The aid workers had seen us in the camps, but we disappeared when we were attacked in the camps by the Ethiopian rebels.

“That is when the aid workers began to say, ‘the boys are lost.’ ”

Garang and many others had fled during the Sudan war to Ethiopia, where they remained until rebels took over and expelled the refugees.

Garang was in a camp in Kenya for nine years before the United States began working with the United Nations to settle youths here.

When he left Ethiopia, Garang did not know if his father was alive. On his return this year, Garang went to villages, asking about his father, a colonel in the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army. He sent four men on motorcycles to look for him, and the two were reunited.

Garang, who is completing work to become a nurse, in May taught health classes in southern Sudan and set up a mobile clinic, distributing medications.

Ayuen, 28, told students he came to the U.S. six years ago from Kenya, where he was a refugee. “I cannot think there is anything in America that compares with what is going on in my country,” the University of Arizona graduate said. “We are trying to get ourselves back on our feet and get prepared to help those back home.”

The sponsor of the Lost Boys is Tucsonan Jill Rich, aka “Mama Jill.” Rich started the Sudanese Promise Fund, which she said is used primarily for school expenses.

Former Lost Boy Ajak Akech, 25, said, “We are so thankful to Mama Jill. When we came here, we didn’t know anyone. She gave us a lot of help and that is how we survived.”

St. Gregory junior Benjie Brittenham, who participated in last year’s walk, said, “It’s natural for human beings to help other people. All of southern Sudan is in need. The best thing we can do is get as much money raised as we can.”

“We saw a film about it last year and learned so much about Sudan,” said freshman Sloane Burns. “Now we’re learning so much more about how it could be stopped.”

Organizing the five-kilometer walk this year are St. Gregory seniors Kristen Sawyer and Melissa Goodman.

Sawyer said events like the walk are a good way for young people to make a positive impact on the world.

“You have to become more aware of the world around you and become involved in a cause that speaks to you.”

The image of his reunion with his father looms large in the background as Koor Garang tells his story as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan during a slide presentation to St. Gregory students last week.

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IF YOU GO

What: Race for the Sudanese Promise Fund and Refugee Awareness Fair