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Restoring Dignity Home Makeover #43

Saturday, April 6th, 2024

Purchase items via the family’s Amazon list here

Sign up to volunteer on the day of the home makeover here

Sign up to volunteer at Yates (accepting packages) – 2 hour shifts throughout the month of March – here

Donate financially at the bottom of this page

Nyaliep’s Story

“I came into the world with a bang!” Nyaliep exclaimed, her lips forming a smile as she recalled her birth story. Her nine-month-pregnant mother had traveled to Khartoum, Sudan, to sell homemade alcohol as a way to survive. While making sales, she was apprehended by the police and put in jail. “I’m about to give birth to this baby,” she told the guards, but they didn’t believe her. A few hours later, Nyaliep was born healthy and beautiful, surrounded by the metal poles of the jail cell. “I have two vivid memories from my childhood,” Nyaliep said, her hands becoming more animated as she spoke. “The first was a rollover car accident that almost killed me in 1998. I was in the front seat and survived because of the seatbelt. My second memory was of my brother defending me in a village in Sudan. Another boy had pulled my hair, so my brother grabbed a handful of rocks and tried to protect me.” Nyaliep’s childhood was filled with uncertainty and fear. Her home country of Sudan erupted into Civil War in 1983, and her family was in constant flight from the conflict. Before fleeing from their home, her father was a choir teacher and did construction for a living, and her mother was a businesswoman and would make food and sell it. “My parents’ love story is very sweet,” she said, smiling. “My dad is Dinka and my mom is Nuer. They were from warring Sudanese tribes, so a union between the two was very unusual.” She explained that, per cultural tradition, her mother was almost married to an older man as a teenager. “During the dinner meeting with the man, she made the most disgusting faces and ate in the worst ways possible because she absolutely did not want to marry him.” And it worked! The older man declined the marriage, which made Nyaliep’s mother very happy. She later met her future husband, and they fell in love. He came to ask for her hand in marriage, but her father refused, saying that someone who was Dinka could not marry his daughter. Rejected but not discouraged, her father traveled to another town and learned how to speak Nuer for an entire year. He returned and asked for Nyaliep’s mother’s hand in marriage again, but this time he spoke in her native language, Nuer, and her father agreed to the marriage, saying, “Anyone who would go to those lengths to marry my daughter is worthy of her.” The two were married and dreamed big dreams of starting a family and having a life of prosperity. The first years of the marriage were challenged by the death of their firstborn, who passed away during his first year of life. They were able to have three more children, and life seemed to be looking up, except for one thing: the civil war in Sudan was escalating.

In 1999, they had to leave their home and flee to a refugee camp in Ethiopia. Uncertainty abounded, and their future hung upon the threads of hope that the war would come to an end. Six months after entering the camp, Nyaliep’s family experienced the impossible. They were chosen to go to the United States as refugees! Considering that most families live in camps for upwards of 20 years and that only 1% of refugees get resettled to other countries, this opportunity was the equivalent of winning the lottery.

“We were first resettled in San Diego, with the beautiful beaches and warm weather. However, my parents wanted to be closer to other South Sudanese, so we moved to Omaha.” Nyaliep enrolled in Omaha Public Schools and graduated from North High School. She scored very high on the ACT and was accepted into 13 universities, of which she decided to enroll at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Prior to entering college, Nyaliep began hanging out with a group of South Sudanese teenagers and fell into drinking and going to parties. “It is very hard being a refugee child. Growing up in both Sudan and America was confusing because I didn’t know where I belonged. I didn’t fit in anywhere and felt lost. Where is my place in this world? I struggled with that for a long time, as did many of the people I hung out with.” Nyaliep met the father of her children, and they got engaged and later gave birth to a set of beautiful twin girls in 2016. “Becoming a mother was my saving grace, and I began questioning everything.” A year later, she gave birth to her first son and became involved in public service within the South Sudanese community. Her father started a church for his people in Omaha, and he was the pastor. She began spending more time at his church and helped lead various programming. Through this, she began to see a desire among South Sudanese youth to know who they were. Nyaliep started a program called Youth For Greater Good and volunteered for years, providing academic support, back-to-school drives, and cultural dance lessons to South Sudanese young people. “I just wanted our youth to understand that they can be with their community, and it can be positive. It doesn’t have to end in trauma bonding or violence.” She explained that in the 2010s, the South Sudanese youth in Omaha were on the verge of losing their language and culture. Gangs were popping up, and parents didn’t know what to do because these weren’t problems that children went through back in South Sudan. Youth for Greater Good began addressing these issues and provided a safe place for South Sudanese youth to feel like they belong and to help them reach their potential. During this time, Nyaliep gave birth to another set of twins in 2020, a beautiful boy and girl. Life was looking up. Her selfless work earned her prestigious awards, such as the NOAH Clinic Champion for Change African Leadership Award and the International Women for Change Women Youth Leader Award. She hosted the first annual Afro Omaha Cultural Festival and had the honor of meeting the Madam Vice President of South Sudan, Nyandeng Garang.

YFGG performance at Loul Deng’s Annual South Sudan Unite 2019 in Minneapolis, MN. Nyaliep speaking with the dance group behind her.

Youth For Greater Good became a registered non-profit, and in 2022, Nyaliep was hired as the Executive Director, a position she held as a volunteer for years. She was able to hire a team, and programming was accelerating. “I thought everything was going to take off,” she said, her voice dropping as she told the next part of her story. “We purchased a brand new van to pick up kids in… everything was growing so fast.” At home, Nyaliep and her fiance were raising their five children (two sets of twins plus a singleton) and were working on getting established as a family.

The brand new van purchased for YFGG youth

In July 2022, Nyaliep was invited to be the keynote speaker at a South Sudanese Independence event in Minnesota on behalf of Youth For Greater Good. The night before the event, she and her fiance packed up the van and left Omaha. “I remember falling asleep and then being woken up by the van swerving all over the place.” On the nighttime drive there, a car had been abandoned in the middle of the highway. Nyaliep’s fiance remembered making a turn on the highway and seeing the car. He slowed down because the vehicle appeared not to be moving fast. Right as he came upon the car, he realized that it wasn’t moving at all. Swerving to miss the vehicle, the van jerked violently from left to right, and then it rolled. “I don’t remember anything. I’ve been told that I kept waking up screaming on the pavement, and then I would pass out,” Nyaliep explained, her lips held tight as she described the horror of that night.

Police determined that Nyaliep was ejected out of the vehicle and that her body flew through the side window.

Nyaliep’s body was flung backward and out the passenger side window when the van rolled

“The accident was on Friday, and I woke up Thursday of the next week.” Nyaliep broke her right hip, right arm, her T4 and T6 vertebrae in her back, and her T1 vertebrae in her neck. “The doctors told me that if I had moved my neck at all, I would have either been dead or been paralyzed from the neck down.” For two months, she fought for her life in a hospital in Minnesota, enduring three complex surgeries. She was then transferred to Madonna Rehab on September 7th, 2022, where she had to learn how to walk again. The accident left her wheelchair-bound. However, with therapy and a ton of work, she was able to regain her ability to walk in February 2023. The nightmare didn’t end there. In January 2023, she went through another surgery on her arm. And in March of this year, she will undergo another surgery to take the arm plate out. In total, she will have gone through six surgeries in an attempt to gain full use of her body back.

At the hospital in Minnesota after the accident

“The accident changed my life in every aspect. I lost my ability to care for myself, couldn’t hold my kids, couldn’t cook, couldn’t clean, couldn’t play with my kids.” The accident not only impacted her physical ability to interact with her children and the world but also financially devasted her family. Nyaliep had to step back from all Youth For Greater Good activities until recently. The accident left her feeling vulnerable, lonely, and totally reliant on others to care for her during her multi-year-long recovery. In addition, she suffered constant physical pain, which impacted her physically, mentally, and emotionally. “I am a shell of who I used to be. Every corner and inch of my life has been impacted.”

Nyaliep was left wheelchair-bound and unable to walk for seven months.

Nyaliep is now going through the painful process of rebuilding her life piece by piece. Raising five young children alone while recovering from a devasting accident is something that no one should have to go through. She and her children are in desperate need of household items, and have been using furniture and mattresses that are on their last leg. Nyaliep is an amazing and selfless person who has completely given herself to improving her community. She has dedicated her life to ensuring that South Sudanese youth have the tools they need to truly flourish. This terrible situation has happened to her, which is utterly unfair.

In physical therapy, healing and learning how to use her body again

Restoring Dignity found out about Nyaliep’s situation and the absolute nightmare she and her children have been through. We offered a home makeover as a way to help turn the tides around for her family. We also offered to raise funds to help fix her car, which has been broken for over a year, and to raise money for rent. Nyaliep graciously accepted and is incredibly excited to have the fantastic Restoring Dignity volunteers come and create a restorative space where she and her children can rebuild their lives! Help us get Nyaliep to a place where she and her children can thrive. They have been pushed deep into the ground through this horrific accident, and we must pull them out and get them back to a standing point. Join us on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, as we bring hope, joy, and household items to Nyaliep and her five beautiful children!

Nyaliep and her beautiful children, prior to the accident

South Sudan’s history as explained by Nyaliep: Sudan was Africa’s largest country before splitting into Sudan and South Sudan. South Sudan is majority Christian faith based and the citizens are visibly taller and darker. In Sudan (sometimes informally called North Sudan), Muslim is the majority faith, and citizens have an Arab background. Civil war started in 1983 and went on for 30+ years, mainly because of religious differences. The government at the time wanted an Arab nation, and many of the darker-skinned Sudanese were treated differently, which led to the formation of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. This army fought for the freedom of the Southern Sudanese. All 64 tribes came together and fought as one, eventually leading to South Sudan’s separation from Sudan. In 2011, 92% of the citizens voted to create a new country called South Sudan. The United States, under the Obama Administration, had a significant role in administering this vote. Now the South Sudanese have their own country. Unfortunately, South Sudan has fallen back into civil war due to tribalism. Sadly, the citizens went from fighting one common enemy to fighting each other. The South Sudanese people still have no peace, but opportunities are looking up.

The Solution

We are taking action on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, to provide this family with a complete home makeover!

Supplies Needed

All items needed are on the family’s Amazon list. The family picked out furniture, bedding, household items, pictures, and toys that they are hoping to receive! Note: if you order items on Amazon, forward us your order email so we can send you a BIG ‘thank you’ and a tax receipt: info@rdomaha.org If you have questions about this project, please email: info@rdomaha.org or call/text: 402-370-9777.

Volunteers Needed

Sign up to volunteer here for the day of the home makeover! 127 volunteers are needed to make this home makeover happen! The following volunteer shifts are needed: Pre-shifts (month of March): Sign up to accept packages for Nyaliep and her family at the Yates Illuminates building. Shifts are scheduled 10am-12pm, 12pm-2pm and 2pm-4pm throughout the month of March. Day of the Home Makeover – Saturday, April 6th, 2024: Sign up to volunteer here on the day of the home makeover!

- 8am-10am LOADING AND UNLOADING: This shift involves loading items onto a moving truck and then unloading those items at the family’s home. Once the trucks are unloaded, we will begin bringing furniture out of the family’s apartment, to prepare for home cleaning. The ability to lift furniture and heavy items is needed for this shift. 15 volunteers needed
- 10am-12pm CLEANING: This shift is for people who want to help with cleaning and organizing. 35 volunteers needed
- 10am-12pm BUILDING: This shift is for people who can build and assemble furniture. Ages 16 and up, please. 10 volunteers needed
- 12pm-2pm CLEANING AND ORGANIZING: This shift is for people who want to help with cleaning, organizing, folding clothes, hanging clothes, sorting through items and other cleaning and organizational tasks. 22 volunteers needed
- 12pm-2pm BUIDING: This shift is for people who can build and assemble furniture. Ages 16 and up, please. 10 volunteers needed
- 12pm-2pm HANDY PEOPLE: This shift is for people who can help do general handy tasks like installing blinds and hanging pictures. Feel free to bring your own tools or we will have some available! 2 handy people needed
- 2pm-4pm CLEANING & ORGANIZING: This shift is for people who want to do any final cleaning and organizing tasks, including finishing cleaning the kitchen, and organizing the pantry and bedrooms. 18 volunteers needed
- 2pm-4pm HANDY PEOPLE: This shift is for people who can help do general handy tasks like installing blinds and hanging pictures. Feel free to bring your own tools or we will have some available! 2 handy people needed
- 2pm-4pm DECORATING: This shift is for people who can help decorate a room. The family has picked out decorations, and you will help put it all together to make their space look beautiful! Please indicate if you are an experienced interior decorator. 6 volunteers needed
- 2pm-4pm RECYCLING: This shift is for someone who can bring their pick-up truck, load cardboard boxes to be recylcled and transport them to a recycling center. 2 volunteers needed
- 4pm-5pm UNLOADING: This shift is for people who can help unload the truck at Yates and move items into Restoring Dignity’s storage area. Participants need to be able to lift boxes and furniture. 5 volunteers needed

AGE LIMIT: Restoring Dignity home makeovers have historically been family-friendly volunteer opportunities. For this home makeover, children ages 10 and older can volunteer IF (1) they are with a parent/guardian and supervised the entire time AND (2) they want to be there and volunteer (all shifts are fast-paced and volunteers must work diligently). Please indicate the child’s age on the sign-up form. Please note that children under the age of 10 will not be allowed to volunteer due to safety concerns. High school students do not need parental supervision.

How to Get Involved:

Donate items:

We could not do these projects without our donors! They are the heart of these projects! All of the items the family has requested can be found on their Amazon wishlist. Items will be mailed to Restoring Dignity’s office at the Yates Illuminates building, and we will deliver them to the family the day of the home makeover. Donate financially at the bottom of this page. If items for the family go unpurchased on their Amazon list, we will use these funds to purchase items. Any remaining funds will be gifted to the family towards rent and car repairs.

Volunteer:

Sign up to volunteer here

Spread the word:

Tell your friends and family about this project! Re-post this blog on your Facebook page, or email it to people you know. The more people that know about these projects, the more we receive donations and volunteer sign-ups!

Pictures from the November 2023 RD 42nd Home Makeover:

Follow us on Facebook: Restoring Dignity has a Facebook Page that is regularly updated. Please follow our page for the latest updates: Restoring Dignity Omaha Facebook Page. Contact us: info@rdomaha.org 402-370-9777

Donate financially towards Nyaliep’s family

Restoring Dignity Home Makeover #37

Saturday, November 14th, 2020

“Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy.”

~Sai Baba

Sign-up to donate items here.

Their Story

Twenty five years ago, a beautiful baby girl was born in Karen State, Burma. Her parents were farmers and lived a quiet life, raising animals and vegetables for food. Before she turned one year old, however, things took a dark turn for her family. The Burmese army attacked her village, and her parents were forced to flee across the border to Thailand. There they found themselves living in a refugee camp, with no opportunity to work, and little food. She grew up only knowing her surroundings as being normal. For four years, she was able to attend school, but then the educational opportunities disappeared. She met her husband at 16 years old and they got married, hoping to raise children and embrace whatever happiness they could find. First came a baby girl who they loved and cherished, and soon after, they found out that they were pregnant again. However, one and half years into their marriage, she received devastating news: her husband had drowned in a nearby river. Picking up every ounce of strength, she pressed forward and raised their two children by herself. Years later, she married another man, and they had a baby girl. Shortly after giving birth, she received the most exciting and scary news: her family had been chosen to be resettled as refugees in America. Terrified to leave her entire family behind, but determined to give her children a better life, she agreed to leaving the camp and forging a new path, in a foreign country. She, her husband, and her three children boarded a plane and landed in St. Paul, Minnesota. After about three months of living there, they wanted to be closer to a larger Karen community, and heard about Omaha, Nebraska having more affordable housing and better jobs. They took the plunge and found themselves in a two bedroom apartment that was within walking distance to the children’s school. Things seemed to be looking up, and then more tragedy struck. Her husband was introduced to drugs and quickly fell into a violent addiction. Two months ago, he left abruptly, telling her that he will never be back. He moved back to St. Paul, to live with his family. For two months, she lived alone with her kids, with no job, no support, and no idea of who to contact. Her landlord came to find out why she was two months late on rent, and found out about her situation. Restoring Dignity was contacted, and we immediately intervened, getting multiple social service agencies involved. After meeting with her, we discussed the possibility of a home-makeover, to help her family get back on their feet. She expressed that she was very excited and would be honored to have volunteers come in and bring herself and her children what they need. On Saturday, November 14th, 2020, we will be partnering with Relevant Community Church to do a home-makeover, and to bring this family furniture, household items and hope. This is our first home-makeover during a pandemic, and we are taking every precaution to make sure that volunteers are safe, including: mandatory masks, face shields, gloves, limits on how many people can be in one room, and all windows will be open for the entirety of the project. Join us as we aim to help provide this family with what they need to get onto a firm footing here in Omaha.

The Home

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