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The Lost Boys and Girls attempted to escape from the war in Sudan on foot, most often traveling together, separated from their families, and they survived extreme conditions by taking care of each other. However, limited research has focused on their relationships with one another during both flight and resettlement. This chapter explores the connection between the hardships faced by Lost Boys and Girls, alongside the relational experiences forged and the sense of community they developed with one another. To do so, we examine a set of qualitative interviews and a focus group with Lost Boys and Girls who resettled in the Global North and analyze them under the light of the kinship hypothesis, which connects hardships and interdependence in relationships. Drawing upon young people’s direct narratives and voices, our data reveal that the bonds that Lost Boys and Girls forged with one another during flight often remained strong after resettlement, highlighting agentive forms of resistance, resilience, and capacity. Findings further reveal high mutual support and high willingness to sacrifice for one another. The significance of these findings for how the experiences of unaccompanied minors are understood, especially for children and youth affected by war and displacement, is discussed.

Of the approximate 18 million refugees worldwide, between 2 and 5 percent are estimated to be separated children, a figure which represents between 360,000 and 900,000 children. Place and placemaking represent vital components and realities during flight. The concept of place addresses the physical and social environments within which separated children move through and live in. Place and placemaking both include elements of physical setting, activity, and meaning, with placemaking specifically constituting the act of transforming the places one finds oneself into the places in which one lives.

Uncertainty continues to surround the concept and meaning of place and placemaking in large part due to their contextual and subjective nature. Furthermore, the notion of place is often under‐explored and under‐theorized when considering separated children's experiences and realities.

Drawing upon in‐depth interviews and a focus group with 17 youth respondents living in Canada, this paper explores the realities of place and placemaking in the lives of separated children.

The paper highlights the meaning and significance of place during flight. It examines the ways in which respondents “made place” in contexts of violence and insecurity through social networks, through reliance on language and cultural traditions, and through place attachment and identity.

The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of place and placemaking for policy and practice with separated children.

This volume transcends the traditional portrayal of children and youth as mere victims or combatants, highlighting their participation as agents of change and resistance. Through compelling narratives and empirical studies, the contributors examine ways in which children and youth engage in, and influence, the socio-political landscape in armed conflict. Emphasizing resilience, contributors to this volume detail how young people navigate the complexities of armed conflicts, contributing to peacebuilding and community reconstruction efforts. Through case studies spanning different geopolitical regions – including Sudan, Ukraine, Georgia, South Ossetia, and Pakistan – scholars highlight the multifaceted experiences of these young people. With a focus on these intersecting aspects, this volume amplifies the voices of affected children and youth, informing policies, and implementing programs that prioritize their well-being and rights in post-conflict societies.