The Lost Boys – Walter Lam

Walter Lam, himself a refugee from Uganda, fled political persecution and came to San Diego in 1986. Upon arrival to the United States, Walter recognized that there were not programs addressing the needs of African Refugees arriving in San Diego. In 1989, he founded the Alliance for African Assistance with the purpose of helping fellow refugees from Africa. Over the past 25 years the Alliance has greatly expanded to serving thousands of refugees from all over the world.

Walter’s program will be  on  “The Lost Boys”.  This is a compelling tale about the resettlement of the lost boys of Sudan, a mixed group of adults and minors.  The amazing part of this story is the transformation of these kids, who grow up to become leaders in the U. S. and in their native country of Sudan.  Among all the refugees that came to America during the last 25 years, this group comprises the largest number of refugees who went back to help their home country.

Walter has served on the California Refugee Health Advisory Board and the California State Advisory Committee for Refugees, the California Refugee Forum. He was also a member of Mayor Dick Murphy’s African American Advisory board. He was a member of the city of San Diego International Affairs board, he is a recipient of the United Way of San Diego Ben Polak Award of Excellence and has been highlighted as a prominent refugee by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCD).  Walter is Currently on the Board of Directors for the Neighborhood House Association, as well as a an active member of San Diego Rotary by being involved with the Peace, Rotary Cares and Microcredit committees.