chom

We are the Chom Brothers, born into a humble household of naturalized, refugees family from South Sudan. Our grandma and her two daughters resettled in High Point, North Carolina, since 2004 by World Relief Agency. They came from Damascus, Syria. North Carolina became their home and our birthplace. Between us, there is an 18-month difference in age, but people can’t tell the difference between us and they sometimes reference us as twins. Especially in our Church and school Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mahol was born in 2006 and Arop was born 2007. Four months before Arop was born our grandfather Colonel Phillip Dok Jiek passed away in July, 2007. This was the reason why our grandmother let Arop to be baptized Elijah. Our grandma took the verse from {1 King 14:8-10} and compared it to her situation. The widow and Elijah, and how Elijah was sent to her. Our family’s background is from three regions of South Sudan. Equatoria, Upper Nile, and Bahar-el-Ghazal. Our three grandfathers were martyrs of their beloved Land. We were told our great grandfather Suleiman Itto, was one of the oldest men in parade, during SPLA/SPLM movement he died a soldier for his Mother Land. We hope by writing this book, we children can encourage ourselves to get off electronic devices and to put a smile on our parent’s face. As for us, grandma calls for more social activity than electronic, she never stopped inspiring us to look at the greatest people who were all raised by their mom. People like Bill Clinton, Obama, Trevor Noah, and Ben Carson. Their obedience payed off, however we are also happy who we are and our roots because if you don’t know where you come from, you will not know where you are going, you will get lost forever. Accept your origin as it is, we know there are many Challenges ahead but don’t let it stop you. This book is based on the true story of our good life in this 3-bedroom apartment, it is not perfect but we hang on.