Starting in 1991, Bol began making visits to southern Sudanese refugee camps. Many of Bol's relatives were leaders in the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA), the rebel movement.
He tried to leave in 1999, but the government stopped him. His money dwindled as he supported himself and 20 relatives.
Manute is a nice guy - but this is yet another situation where someone who "had it all" is left to scratch for crumbs once the money is gone.
Granted, it's insane to invest $500,000 in a restaurant. OTOH, you've got to cut the guy some slack for supporting 20 relatives, many of whom may have been involved in the struggle against the Muslim tyranny. A number of our forefathers went bankrupt loaning money to our own Continental Congress.
bump