BBC East Africa correspondent Will Ross says the attacks are getting increasingly violent and neither the government nor the United Nations peacekeepers seem capable of stopping them.
Haunting eyes—like the ones you see—stared out of a dark cave that South Sudanese orphans fled to because of a massacre. Faces of children who helplessly watched their parents brutally murdered in front of them in the summer of 2011.
The story of these children was radically changed when fighting between two tribes escalated into an all-out slaughter in 13 villages.
Once the massacre ceased 1,801 homes were burned, 742 people were killed, 826 were wounded, and 356 were missing.
A New Home: Relocation of orphans to the City of Bor
The orphans are traumatized to such a degree that relatives have resisted taking the orphans into their homes. They are truly abandoned and need healing.
Our help enables Sudanese Pastors and helpers to construct “African huts” for the orphans to temporarily live in before transitioning them to the capital of Jonglei, South Sudan. In the meantime, Mission to Children has pledged to help provide feeding and care while the permanent orphanage is designed and funds are raised. Our hope is to begin the relocation immediately.
The opportunity cost to the Mission to Children is estimated at over $30,000 to:
- Take down and rebuild huts during the transportation process to the capital of Jonglei state, Bor.
- Support caretakers for the kids (5-7 Nuer pastors).
- Relocate over 166 orphans to Bor.
- Provide an estimated 6 months of food, clothing, and medical attention for these orphans while a permanent Children’s Trauma and Care Center is built.
A story that turned very, very bad
In mid-July 2011, members of the Murle tribe, armed by the Khartoum government, attacked the Nuer people in Jonglei state, South Sudan. Although tribal conflict is decades old, this attack was different. Traditionally, these conflicts involved stealing cattle and taking women and children. This time, the violence was more pronounced.
In early August the Government of South Sudan dispatched a team of 10 church leaders, under the leadership of the Sudan Council of Churches, to the affected area. Their report shows massive suffering.
166 children were orphaned.
Although over 31,000 Nuer are now displaced, the focus of this initiative is to address the needs of children who lost their parents. Additionally, it will enhance the efforts of the indigenous churches of South Sudan as they seek to build peace between warring tribes.
Benefits of the project
This center will not only serve to care for Nuer children, but for all the tribes of Jonglei state. It will enhance the efforts of the church of South Sudan to build peace between warring tribes, take responsibility for the spiritual and physical development of their new nation, and become the authoritative, moral voice to its nation (i.e., we will demonstrate what it means to know God and walk in His ways.)
Relocation coordinated by 5-7 Nuer pastors committed to the healing process for these children and to tribal peace in their nation—a nation to be committed to character (integrity/responsibility).
Where
City of Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, South Sudan.
Have you been to South Sudan or have information you’d like to add to the story of these orphans? Add a comment below.
