From Perham to South Sudan

Pennguan Awel Nhial, born April Lehman, graduated from Perham High School in 2006 and now owns a school in Africa with her husband, Ajang Tor Nhial (Contributed / Pennguan Awel Nhial)

PERHAM — Pennguan Awel Nhial was born April Lehman. The 2006 Perham High School graduate got a degree, married a Lost Boy, changed her name, moved to Africa and opened a school.

When the daughter of Ricky and the late Penny Lehman of Perham still had her maiden last name, she was pursuing an associate’s degree in early childhood education and paraprofessional certification at M State in Moorhead.

To help pay for her education and living expenses, she worked at the Walmart where Moorhead ends and Dilworth begins. She folded jeans, opened dressing rooms for customers and organized items in the clothing department. She didn’t know her entire future was about to change.

It was 2008 when she walked out of the personnel office at the store. A colleague, Ajang Tor Nhial, was passing by. In addition to a smile, he shared a compliment.

“He commented on how beautiful my pink beaded bracelet was,” she recalled.

A conversation followed. She learned he grew up in country that had been torn apart by war.

“In Sudan, years ago, they were killing all young boys,” she explained. “The only way they survived was by leaving their homes to walk to Ethiopia or Kenya for safety in refugee camps.”

Her colleague had fled to Kenya. In a refugee camp there he met workers with Lutheran Social Services, which helped bring many children to the U.S. He was one of the lucky ones that escaped through a program known as the Lost Boys. Many of his family members had to stay behind. He told her a portion of his paychecks were sent to them, so they would have money to eat, get medical treatment and pay school fees.

As she worked her way through school, their friendship grew. By the time she had collected an associate’s degree in early childhood education and paraprofessional training from M State in Wadena, she was in love.

Two years later, they tied the knot. That was when she formerly changed her entire name to Pennguan Awel Nhial. In English it may look unfamiliar, but in South Sudan, where her husband grew up, it is the familiar native Dinka language.

“I picked Pennguan (pronounced pan-juan) to honor the name my family gave me,” she said, noting it means April. “Awel is the name of my husband’s mother, who passed away from breast cancer when he was an infant. And, Nhial is my husband’s last name. I decided to change my name fully to the Dinka language instead of having a half American, half African name.”

Having the Dinka name made sense because the two planned to move to Africa. Her husband had been gone from his native country and his remaining family for 20 years.

While South Sudan didn’t gain official independence from Sudan until 2011, the war had been over for several years, she said.

“I first visited South Sudan in 2010 and met his family,” Nhial said. “It was an amazing experience to be a part of. That is when I feel in love with Africa and the culture.”

The culture she said is family-oriented and she likened the lifestyle to camping. Both traits were a perfect fit for Nhial. The simplicity of life in South Sudan unbound her from loud clocks that always seemed to be telling her it was time to go.

“Time isn’t a must there,” she said. “We wake up with the sun and end our day with the sun going down. It’s just so simple and peaceful.”

However, the newlyweds returned to the states and the pushy clocks. But, they returned with a dream and land in Wau. The dream was to open a school in South Sudan where she could put her education to work and he could help provide a better future to those in his native country.

During their visit, they had purchased three plots of land, each about 5,400-square-feet and costing about $20 each. Two of the plots were for their future school and one for their home.

With a shared goal, the only thing holding them back was money. They worked, became frugal and by 2012 had enough to make the move to Wau, Africa.

Wau is a town in the northwestern South Sudan that is home to upwards of 300,000 people, by some accounts. Nhial explained the area is under developed. Electricity and clean running water at home are luxuries.

“We take for granted how easy it is to lift the faucet and have water coming out, or flip a switch and have light to see at night or to study or to charge our phones,” she said.

The Nhials moved into their unfinished home built with bricks, cement and aluminum sheeting. Metal doors and windows are still in the works.

“We have done a little here and there to finish it, but we just have been putting all we have into our school,” Nhial said. “As long as I have a nice warm bed and a roof to lay under, it doesn't matter what it looks like. I’m just happy to have it.”

They opened the preschool portion of Atur Ci Raan Tok Cuet Nursery and Primary School in 2018 without any outside funding assistance. Nhial began teaching preschool, which serves ages 4-6.

After finishing necessary paperwork in late 2018 and preparing the school grounds in 2019, they had one preschool room and eight other classrooms for students up to eighth grade. Students could enroll in the school up to the age of 19. They opened in 2020 with 350 students enrolled. Then COVID-19 shut the doors. For a year the school grounds were silent. The Nhials held fast to their dream and in 2021 hosted their first full year of school.

“And, it has been going great ever since,” she said, noting their current enrollment is 259 students. She said the dip in enrollment in the current year was due to a struggling economy that makes tuition unaffordable for many. Tuition is $100 for an entire year. An additional $50 is required for a one-time purchase of a school uniform that includes a backpack, shoes, socks, shirt and either a skirt or shorts.

Currently, there is no official way for people to donate for a student’s enrollment or for the school to purchase supplies. But, if one is interested in donating, or learning more about the school, Nhial invited them to reach out to her on Facebook.

Nhial said seeing children’s lives improve through education, which can lead to opportunities in young adulthood to be more self sufficient, has been a dream come true.

“It has been amazing,” she said.

In addition to helping raise and educate many children in Wau, the Nhial’s started their own family. They have three children between the ages of 5 and 14, and all attend their parent’s school.

While Nhial loves her new life in Africa, she fondly recalls her time spent in Perham. When she visits her hometown there are two things on the must-do list: Visit Paul Miller Park and load up on Kenny’s Candy.

The city-owned Paul Miller Park was named after the 26-year mayor of Perham. It offers a beach and access on Little Pine Lake and a variety of recreational facilities. Nhial has core memories at the park, and revisits them when she returns to Perham by sitting on the dock and dangling her feet in the water or sharing a picnic with family under the shade of the trees.

As for Wiley Wallaby, the gourmet licorice made in Perham, Nhial said she isn’t the only one excited to savor the soft and chewy treat. Her students have also had the opportunity to give the candy a try.

“The round sours and the watermelon-flavored licorice are their absolute favorites,” she said.

Source: https://www.perhamfocus.com/news/local/from-perham-to-south-sudan