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PARKERSBURG - Students and faculty at West Virginia University at Parkersburg had a chance to find the "Lost Boys" Monday.

Joan Hecht, author of the "Lost Boys of Sudan," spoke to about 80 people Monday at the WVUP theater.

She gave students and faculty an hour-long crash course on war-torn Sudan and the plight of tens of thousands of refugee children. Hecht was accompanied by Atem Da'Hajhock, a lost boys survivor who was among the 3,800 children granted asylum to the United States in 2001.

Hecht's book and presentation focused on the tens of thousands of children who were separated from their parents during the Sudanese civil war.

The children walked more than a thousand miles to refugee camps in Ethiopia, southern Sudan and Kenya searching for shelter, food water and aid. The children were under constant pressure from soldiers, wildlife and the elements.

"We felt we have been abandoned by the universe," Da'Hajhock said.

Hecht said it is estimated more than half the lost boys perished, but Da'Hajhock, who was 6-years-old when he was separated from his family during a raid on their village, was among those who survived. He went to Jacksonville, Fla., in 2001 and was later reunited with his mother and five siblings after being apart for more than 17 years.

Debbie Richards, WVUP special assistant, said the program was the kickoff of international education week.

Hecht and Da'Hajhock addressed the crowd for about an hour then fielded questions from the audience.

Hecht, who is also the founder and president of the Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan, travels throughout the country to raise awareness for southern Sudan and gain financial support for her foundation.

"These events are still occurring in Sudan," Hecht said.