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Sudanese Student Adjusts to Life in VA:
Sudanese Student Adjusts to Life in VA:
Through a donor's generosity, he now studies at Fork Union Military Academy and hopes to go to college.
by Alberta Lindsey
Gideon Mabeny learned his ABC's and numbers on a splintery log under a tree. Only the teacher had a textbook. If it rained, children went home. Now, Mabeny not only has his own textbooks, but also has a desk in an indoor classroom with computers. Classes continue in rain, sleet and snow.
Eighteen year old Mabeny, a native of Sudan, began classes Jan. 4 at Fork Union Military Academy, a college preparatory, military boarding school in Fluvanna County for boys in grades six through 12 and postgraduates. “I'm excited to be here. It's a nice school,” Mabeny said during the break from classes Tuesday. “The first day came, I didn't know what to do. I was new to this place. I think now I'm getting to know my way around.”
When Mabeny enters a room, he ducks his 7-foot-tall slender body to keep from hitting his head on the door frame. Although his height is a bit of a problem here, he sees it as a gift from God. The school's uniforms and mattresses are too short. A seamstress altered his uniform for him. But when he sleeps, he just bends his legs, he said, laughing at the thought. Eating three times a day amazes Mabeny, who is used to one meal a day. “ You eat too much food.” he said. The Fork Union staff describe the young Sudanese man as shy, polite and hardworking.
Gideon Mabeny learned his ABC's and numbers on a splintery log under a tree. Only the teacher had a textbook. If it rained, children went home. Now, Mabeny not only has his own textbooks, but also has a desk in an indoor classroom with computers. Classes continue in rain, sleet and snow.
Eighteen year old Mabeny, a native of Sudan, began classes Jan. 4 at Fork Union Military Academy, a college preparatory, military boarding school in Fluvanna County for boys in grades six through 12 and postgraduates. “I'm excited to be here. It's a nice school,” Mabeny said during the break from classes Tuesday. “The first day came, I didn't know what to do. I was new to this place. I think now I'm getting to know my way around.”
When Mabeny enters a room, he ducks his 7-foot-tall slender body to keep from hitting his head on the door frame. Although his height is a bit of a problem here, he sees it as a gift from God. The school's uniforms and mattresses are too short. A seamstress altered his uniform for him. But when he sleeps, he just bends his legs, he said, laughing at the thought. Eating three times a day amazes Mabeny, who is used to one meal a day. “ You eat too much food.” he said. The Fork Union staff describe the young Sudanese man as shy, polite and hardworking.
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