- Violence and Insecurity: The conflicts and violence in Sudan resulted in frequent attacks on villages, forcing families to flee their homes suddenly and without time for preparation.
- Extreme Weather Conditions: The climate of the journey is hot and arid, exposing the boys to harsh weather conditions, such as scorching sun, dust, and unpredictable weather changes,
- Lack of Food and Water: The limited food and water supplies along the way presented significant hardship, as the boys often had to go for days without proper nourishment.
- Diseases: The poor hygienic conditions and lack of medical care increased the risk of contracting various diseases, including malaria, diarrhea, and respiratory illnesses.
- Injures: The challenging terrain and long distances covered on foot resulted in injuries, blisters, and foot problems.
Emotional and Mental Hardships
- Separation from Family: Many of the boys were forced to leave behind family members, including parents and siblings, due to the sudden nature of their flight and the dangers of traveling together.
- Loss of Home: The boys were uprooted from their familiar homes and communities, leading to a sense of displacement and loss of identity.
- Traumatic Experiences: Witnessing violence and death, losing loved ones, and experiencing the harshness of the journey took a toll on the mental well-being of the boys, and left lasting emotional scars.
- Uncertainty about the Future: The boys faced an uncertain future, not knowing what would happen to them or their families once they reached the refugee camp or beyond.
Social Hardships
- Discrimination and Stigmatization: As refugees, the boys faced potential discrimination and stigmatization upon reaching the refugee camp or other settlements.
- Lack of Education: The disruption of their lives meant that the boys often had limited opportunities for education during their journey and upon arrival in the camps.
- Integration. Integrating into new community could be challenging, especially considering cultural and language barriers, as well as potential tensions between different groups of refugees.