South Sudan: Peace begins with connecting with the communities we serve
It's a mission to connect with the communities that they came to serve.
So, it's no surprise to see the joyful cheering when the peacekeeping patrol is welcomed to a school in the camp for displaced families next to the mission's field office in Bentiu, Unity State.
The school has long lacked government funding, which means its 60 teachers provide classes on a volunteer basis, doing their utmost to ensure the children get the best education possible and the chance to reach their full potential in life despite the many challenges they face.
'We need government support. Most of us are unpaid, and at times, we have to collect fees from the children's families just to keep the school running,' shares Head Teacher, Michael Tergiek. 'The children motivate us so much though with their urgent desire to learn.'
What used to be a United Nations Protection of Civilians site requiring a constant peacekeeping presence transitioned into a conventional displacement camp under the responsibility of the government several years ago.
But this change has not diminished the deep respect and connections between the local communities and UNMISS peacekeepers, particularly the Mongolian contingent, which has been stationed in the area for more than a decade.
A perfect illustration of this deep connection is the fact that many of the South Sudanese children and even adults living in the camp can speak the Mongolian language.
'There are a lot of kids, teenagers and adults that speak Mongolian as we've been here since 2012. At that time, these kids were still small and now they have grown up to be teenagers or young adults. Some of them are absolutely fluent and completely understand what we're talking about,' shares the Deputy Commander of the Mongolian contingent, Altantulga Jargalan.
As well as conducting robust patrols by day and night, the Mongolian contingent increased the number of women peacekeepers within their ranks to help foster mutual respect with women and girls and combat the root causes of gender-based violence through the provision of training in schools and local community gathering spots.
'By being present and showing they care, the Mongolians help us feel safe enough to dedicate ourselves to our education,' shares 17-year-old Hope, who had returned to Bentiu from Uganda to live with her mother a few years ago.
Once she becomes a public speaker, which is her biggest dream, Hope wants to use her voice to empower others to become as strong and resilient as she is.
Because she agrees that peace begins with me, with you, with all of us.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
18 hours ago
- The National
Dubai Marina tower fire residents say ‘angels' helped them survive inferno
Three weeks after the Dubai Marina blaze gutted large portions of a residential tower, the kindness of strangers is helping residents get back on their feet. Many were left with nothing after the fire ripped through the Marina Pinnacle building, known as Tiger Tower, on June 13, home to more than 3,800 residents. Families thanked Dubai's 'angels' who continue to arrange baby cots, phone chargers and accommodation in studios and hotels. Nigina Shakirova, 32, from Uzbekistan was working late and frantically waited outside as her husband and young daughter ran out of the burning building. 'Our condition was terrible, my daughter had a burn on her hand and legs, people helped with medication and she is OK now,' said Ms Shakirova, who works with a real estate developer. The family now live in a one-bedroom apartment that a Dubai resident offered them. 'We feel blessed my husband and child are alive, that is the most priceless thing to have after that inferno. We deeply appreciate the angels, the amazing lady who gave us the apartment and is helping find a house with low rent. God bless these strangers for their kindness.' Partitioned homes The fire brought attention to apartments in the tower broken up into partitions with makeshift doors and beds lined up in the living room. Occupants said they were charged between Dh2,000 and Dh3,500 monthly for partitioned spaces that afford some privacy with a bed, cupboard and dressing unit. The 'bedsits' or rows of beds cost about Dh1,000 a month. Dubai Municipality has recently cracked down on partitioned units and demolished illegal sublets across the emirate. Authorities have warned landlords against adding unauthorised partitions, as these are fire hazards. Zahra Finech, 45, who works in a Moroccan bath and spa nearby, lost all her belongings and is busy trying to obtain a replacement passport. 'My home is finished, ID cards, gold, money, clothes, everything is gone,' said the Moroccan citizen, who has lived in the UAE for eight years. 'I cry a lot, I feel crazy, I want to go home because all the money I saved is gone, it's become dust in the fire.' She paid Dh3,000 for a partitioned space with five other women in a one-bedroom space. After the fire, the owners' association managing the tower said it provided temporary accommodation for affected residents as per directions of the authorities. It was then she realised that without a tenancy contract she had no legal rights. 'I will tell people now, 'Don't live in partition, don't live without a contract,'' she said. 'If a fire happens, no one can help you. You cannot prove your rights. I gave rent every month, I got a paper (receipt) so in my head this was legal. But I checked with a lawyer and he said that I don't have a contract.' Many low-wage earners are in a similar situation. Their salary is between Dh3,500 and Dh5,000, and they spend half on rent, send a chunk home and live on about Dh500. They live in partitioned apartments close to work instead of paying for transport and spending hours commuting each way. Lost all savings Souad Jaafro, 40, a chef at a Lebanese restaurant, has put her July holiday plans on hold as she lost her documents, money and gifts she bought for her children and parents. She slept on the street near the tower for two days until a Dubai resident paid for hotel accommodation. 'I was in my pyjamas when firefighters told us to run. On the 20th floor there was too much smoke, I fell and woke up in an ambulance,' said the Moroccan citizen. 'I have not seen my family for two years, I bought so much for them. My salary is Dh3,000, I pay Dh1,500 for [a] bed space, send money to my family, spend what is left for my food. How can I go on holiday now? I must start from the beginning.' Zakaria Abizaid has lived in the UAE for seven years and is currently looking for a job, having previously worked as a salesperson. 'Everything I'm wearing was given by people,' said the Moroccan citizen who lived in a bed space. 'Everything in the apartment is black from the smoke. We stayed in a mosque and then this angel comes in, this lady who paid for a hotel room.' Best, 35, a Ugandan waitress who gave just one name, fled her apartment with her laptop, bag and passport. She paid Dh1,800 for a partitioned unit in a one-bedroom apartment divided into six units. 'I must give a shout out to all the women who helped us,' she said. 'One lady called us home and spread new slippers, clothes, jeans, make-up, perfume on her bed. She gave us food and hugs, made us feel at home, gave us a bag and asked us to pick up anything. She told us to be happy to be alive. 'We were shattered, these women made sure we would not go hungry. They are helping us get back on our feet.' Community to the rescue Dozens of people swooped in to support the residents by connecting them with people who opened up furnished homes, picked up hotel tabs and provided daily meals. Sevgi Anar, an Australian resident, helped place more than 60 people in hotels and private apartments, and was described as an angel by the fire survivors 'My building faces Tiger and I saw what happened. I also saw a couple of boys sleeping on the ground with soot under their feet and so I split the cost of putting them in a hotel with another girl,' said Ms Anar, head of sales for a health company. 'I'm not an angel. I just want to help people in difficult situations.' Deepti Arora, head of human resources with a retail company, helped connect people who needed basic supplies. A WhatsApp group soared to more than 1,000 members, with people offering everything from bassinets to bedsheets and pillowcases. 'When I saw people sitting on the road, a couple crying and hugging each other, it really hit me,' the Indian national said. 'Our motive was to help as many people as we could based on their requirements. The community has really come forward in the Year of the Community and it has been overwhelming. None of us knew each other, we are just humans helping out humans.'
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
South Sudan: Peace begins with connecting with the communities we serve
Peacekeeping is more than just a job for the Mongolian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. It's a mission to connect with the communities that they came to serve. So, it's no surprise to see the joyful cheering when the peacekeeping patrol is welcomed to a school in the camp for displaced families next to the mission's field office in Bentiu, Unity State. The school has long lacked government funding, which means its 60 teachers provide classes on a volunteer basis, doing their utmost to ensure the children get the best education possible and the chance to reach their full potential in life despite the many challenges they face. 'We need government support. Most of us are unpaid, and at times, we have to collect fees from the children's families just to keep the school running,' shares Head Teacher, Michael Tergiek. 'The children motivate us so much though with their urgent desire to learn.' What used to be a United Nations Protection of Civilians site requiring a constant peacekeeping presence transitioned into a conventional displacement camp under the responsibility of the government several years ago. But this change has not diminished the deep respect and connections between the local communities and UNMISS peacekeepers, particularly the Mongolian contingent, which has been stationed in the area for more than a decade. A perfect illustration of this deep connection is the fact that many of the South Sudanese children and even adults living in the camp can speak the Mongolian language. 'There are a lot of kids, teenagers and adults that speak Mongolian as we've been here since 2012. At that time, these kids were still small and now they have grown up to be teenagers or young adults. Some of them are absolutely fluent and completely understand what we're talking about,' shares the Deputy Commander of the Mongolian contingent, Altantulga Jargalan. As well as conducting robust patrols by day and night, the Mongolian contingent increased the number of women peacekeepers within their ranks to help foster mutual respect with women and girls and combat the root causes of gender-based violence through the provision of training in schools and local community gathering spots. 'By being present and showing they care, the Mongolians help us feel safe enough to dedicate ourselves to our education,' shares 17-year-old Hope, who had returned to Bentiu from Uganda to live with her mother a few years ago. Once she becomes a public speaker, which is her biggest dream, Hope wants to use her voice to empower others to become as strong and resilient as she is. Because she agrees that peace begins with me, with you, with all of us. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Eritrea: Sign Language Training in Asmara
Sign language training programs lasting from three to six months have been provided to 12 teachers and 55 students of Denden High School in Asmara. Mr. Daniel Habte, director of the school, stated that the objective of the training was to facilitate communication with hearing-impaired individuals in general, and with students in particular. The event featured presentations and performances reflecting the knowledge the students gained from the training. Mr. Hagos Kidane, from the Central Region education office, said that in the 2024/2025 academic year, Denden High School provided educational opportunities to 14 students with hearing impairments, and that the training will play a significant role in improving the teaching and learning process for these students. The trainees, expressing appreciation for the training opportunity provided, also affirmed their readiness to apply their training to assist hearing-impaired students in their school. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
