The future starts today

By Anthonitha Kumbo Aniue, JF-CPiE Social Worker Tambura County, South Sudan.

“I may be blind, but I still have dreams for the future. I want to provide a better life for my children and give them the opportunities they deserve. I won’t let my past define me; I’m determined to create a brighter future for myself and my family”, says Elizabeth.

In the heart of Western Equatoria State, nestled in the Hai Salam suburb of Tambura West, once lived a 16 years old girl named Elizabeth*. From the moment she was born, Elizabeth’s life was marked by hardship. She is blind in both eyes, a condition that would shape her future in ways she could never have imagined.

Despite her visual impairment, she persevered through school, determined to make something of herself. Then, in June 2021, everything changed. The intercommunal violence that had been simmering for months in Tambura County finally boiled over, and Elizabeth, among other 80,000 people, was forced to flee her home.

She took refuge in one of the IDP camps in Tambura town, where she hoped to find safety and help. Elizabeth’s heart broke as she thought of her parents, both of whom had been killed during the conflict while trying to bring food from home to the IDP camp. Now, there was no one left to care for them.

As the days turned into weeks while in the camp, Elizabeth realised that danger still lurked in the shadows. Every day was a struggle to find enough food to survive, and men would often demand sex in exchange for a meal. Men took advantage of her vulnerability, using her visual impairment as a weapon to prey on her. Elizabeth was raped repeatedly, leaving her pregnant and traumatised at just sixteen years old.

“I never thought that my visual impairment condition would be the least of my worries. The pain of being rape has left me feeling broken and powerless. But, I refuse to let it define me. I am learning to heal and move forward, one step at a time,” Elizabeth states.

Her younger sister, 14 years-old Sarah*, who had been her caretaker, also fell victim to the same fate. They both became teenage single mothers. Their lives forever changed by the horrors they had endured. With no proper food or shelter, they grew malnourished and weak. They did not undergo regular antenatal care visits because they had no one to guide them through the process.

Life became even harder when Elizabeth became pregnant. She didn’t know who had impregnated her, but it didn’t matter anymore. All that mattered was survival. She clung to hope that one day things would get better and that they would be able to escape the horrors of the camp and start anew.

Elizabeth and her younger sister became very hungry because they didn’t have enough food, a place to live, or anything to sleep on. They also didn’t go to the doctor for checkups during the first six months of Elizabeth’s pregnancy because they didn’t have anyone to help them.

A social worker found Elizabeth in September 2023 during a meeting in the camp where she was living. The social worker helped Elizabeth and her sister by referring them to the hospital for medical care and the nutrition centre for food. Joining Forces also gave them necessities like maize flour, mattresses, soap, clothes, mosquito nets, and a white cane for Elizabeth’s movement.

Now, Elisabeth has a good place to sleep with her baby. Later on, they received other things like pots, knives, blankets, hoes, and axes so they could grow their own food and buy seeds. The money they received also helped them buy food and change their diet.

“The support we have received has been a lifeline for my sister, our children and me. We now have food, shelter, and the resources we need to start rebuilding our lives.”, says Elisabeth.

As Elizabeth and her sister continue to receive support from Joining Forces for Child Protection in Emergencies, they are making strides in their settlement. With the materials, NFIs, and financial support they have received, they are now able to provide for their two newborns and improve their living conditions. Elizabeth’s blindness is still a
challenge, but she has received a white cane to help her navigate.

The impact of this aid is profound, as Elizabeth reflects on the journey that has brought her here. “We have been through so much,” she whispers, “but we’re still here.

*Not her real name.