Monybany Dau (left) and an unidentified fellow child soldier, hold rifles at Itang Refugee Camp in Ethiopia, 1985, following the Battle of Yakaw -- Monybany was around 12. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

book available now

Red Deerian pens memoir on life as child soldier, journey to Canada

Jul 1, 2025 | 9:00 AM

No path is made equal, and for those who don’t know the one taken by Monybany Dau to arrive in Red Deer, they’d likely be shocked to find out.

Dau, originally from the South Sudanese village of Atar, is the author of a new book — When the River Reverses Course: The Untold Stories of Us — which tells of his harrowing story as a refugee and child soldier in Ethiopia and Cuba to becoming a newcomer in Canada.

Dau’s parents, as he tells, were illiterate and never had access to formal education; for this reason, they didn’t own a calendar, thus Dau’s exact birthday is unknown — but he can say he’s between 50 and 55. This birthday conundrum is a more common occurrence than people in the western world would ever realize.

During the civil war in Sudan, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) selected a very young Dau, and 600 other children, to be sent to Cuba for education. The hope was those children would one day return to Sudan to help rebuild after the war — however, the war dragged on.

Recognizing it would be unsafe to send the children back, Cuba gave the children refugee status, and they were able to immigrate to countries like Canada.

Support from Donald Family Fund

Dress for Success Central Alberta launches new Career Hub

5h ago

Community Builder

Safe Harbour Society's Elder Lynn Jonasson earns national recognition

5h ago

$38.9 million

Blackfalds town council approves 2026 operating budget

5h ago

“This memoir is not only a personal account of resilience, identity, and hope, but also a reflection of the many silent stories of children whose lives have been shaped — and often shattered — by war. It explores themes of displacement, nostalgia, cultural adaptation, and the immigrant experience,” says Dau, who wishes Canadians would learn from his story that no one simply wakes up and decides to immigrate.

Monybany Dau is shown here seeing and embracing his mother for the first time in 18 years. (Supplied)

Rather, they’re usually forced out by war, conflict, natural disasters, political or religious persecution, and other forces beyond their control.

Stories like his, of once being a child soldier, repeat still in places around the world, he points out.

“The many names in my story that you cannot pronounce, they are your neighbour, your colleagues at educational institutions, your teammate at sport, your coworkers, your friends. Names are not left behind, they form part of many Canadians’ identity,” says Dau.

“These names are the opportunity seekers and nation builders; do not marginalize them simply because you have a challenge pronouncing their name.”

Dau’s story is clearly one of hope, proving that even in one’s darkest hour, a light is waiting.

Monybany Dau following his post-secondary graduation from Mount Royal University in Calgary. (Supplied)

“I believe hope is immortal. No matter how dark the moment, there is always a light. Above all, I believe that God is watching over everything we do,” adds Dau.

“And yet, I am still searching — for that greater purpose, and for the answers to the questions that have followed me all my life.”

Dau, who came to Canada in 1998, received formal education in Cuba to become a nurse, later earning a degree in business administration through Calgary’s Mount Royal University, and finally a post-grad certificate in human resources management at Red Deer Polytechnic.

When the River Reverses Course: The Untold Stories of Us is available on Amazon, starting July 9, through Monybany directly by emailing dau.monybany@gmail.com, or currently at Audreys Books in Edmonton.

—

READ MORE

• A journey of love from South Sudan to Canada: A Black History Month story
• Kooman brothers to premiere ‘Dream’ in Red Deer next month