In 1956 Sudan obtained independence, but has been in an almost constant state of civil war. Stronger kingdoms had been trying to take more control of Sudan and its people for centuries. Salva's story begins in 1985, during the Second Civil War. 2 million people were killed due to the war and 4 million South Sudanese people were misplaced and were referred to as the "Lost Generation"; due to a vast majority of them being young boys, they were sometimes called the "Lost Boys". After the war, South Sudan was able to obtain its independence.