Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - An American dream came true after a Louisville man re-united with his wife and baby girl from Sudan. It is a child he never saw before Friday. It’s an emotional moment that was 10 years in the making.
The reunion happened at the Louisville International Airport
Rabbi Robert Slosberg and Sudanese refugee Gabriel Akech Kwai are an unlikely duo waiting in the Louisville International Airport for a life-changing moment.
Gabriel Akech Kwai, Sudanese Refugee: “It is very exciting for them coming today is great. For my wife it’s been 10 years already since I left and with my daughter I’m having trouble getting her to know me.”
No matter what language you speak, you can feel the love.
Kwai, finally re-united with his wife Alek and 18-month-old daughter Agotich whom he never met before.
They arrived Friday morning.
The father is one of more than 100 lost boys of Sudan who made it safely to America as a refugee in the 2001.
Tens of thousands did not, persecuted for their religion with unimaginable suffering and death.
Rabbi Slosberg and Congregation Adath Jeshurun heard his story last year and were moved to collect $6,000 in donations to help his family re-unite.
The Sudanese Refugee Education Fund helps find jobs, healthcare and cars.
A dream is now reality.
“Just knowing that my congregation responded so generously during a very difficult economic time to help a very kind good human being,” said Rabbi Robert Slosberg.
“What I told my wife it’s all over if she has trouble again, never by herself with the child. I will be there to help them,” said Gabriel Akech Kwai.
Kwai became an American citizen in 2006.
He now works at Republic Bank and Home Depot and is no stranger to hard work in Louisville. The family will move in together and start their new American life.
The family will be given baby gifts during a housewarming next month at a synagogue on Woodbourne Avenue in Louisville.
They will also move into a new apartment.
