BlogVAD Foundation
November 6, 2026
News & stories
Blog & Media Coverage
Stories from the VAD Foundation and selected media coverage of Valentino Achak Deng, our work, and education in South Sudan.
BlogVAD Foundation
August 30, 2026
Education in South Sudan: Why 2 Million Children Are Out of School — and How We're Changing It
Read the blog postMediaThe New York Times
March 22, 2025
Meet the Opposite of Elon Musk
Nicholas Kristof contrasts Valentino Achak Deng’s empathy-driven work expanding education in South Sudan with Elon Musk’s public dismissal of empathy, highlighting Valentino’s return to build opportunities for young people.
Read the New York Times columnMediaThe New York Times
January 28, 2025
Looking to a Time When Most of the World’s Babies Will Be African
Nicholas Kristof reflects on Africa’s growing share of the world’s young population and the promise and challenges that brings. The column features Valentino Achak Deng’s work for education in South Sudan.
Read the New York Times columnMediaThe New York Times
July 12, 2015
A ‘Lost Boy’ Battles AK-47s With Education
Nicholas Kristof revisits Valentino’s story and his belief in education as a way to help young people build a different future.
Read the New York Times storyMediaBBC News
July 9, 2015
From ‘Lost Boy’ to education minister in South Sudan
A BBC profile traces Valentino’s journey through displacement, education, and service, including his work to build a school in Marial Bai.
Read the BBC profileMediaNPR
January 10, 2011
‘What Is The What’ Lost Boy Casts Sudan Vote
NPR reports from South Sudan as Valentino reflects on the country’s future and his return to Marial Bai to help establish a school.
Listen to the NPR reportMediaThe Guardian
August 3, 2010
Dave Eggers helps Sudan’s ‘Lost Boys’ get a fresh start at school
A report from Marial Bai on Valentino and Dave Eggers, the community’s new secondary school, and the early work to widen access to education, especially for girls.
Read the Guardian storyMediaThe New York Times
April 25, 2010
A School for Hope in Sudan
Nicholas Kristof writes about the school Valentino helped build in South Sudan and the hope that education can bring to children growing up amid conflict.
Read the New York Times columnMediaThe New York Times
December 17, 2009
Valentino and his School
Columnist Nicholas Kristof writes about Valentino’s work to build a school in his hometown and his determination to give back to South Sudan.
Read the New York Times storyMediaNPR
November 1, 2006
Eggers Blends Fact, Fiction of Sudanese ‘Lost Boys’
An interview with Dave Eggers and Valentino about their collaboration on What Is The What and Valentino’s experience as a refugee from Sudan.
Listen to the NPR interviewMedia links open on the publishers’ websites. Blog posts are written by the VAD Foundation.