The Reality of War: Nyakuma and Ajou’s Story

"We witnessed the war in Sudan firsthand," Nyakuma recalls. "We were living in Khartoum when the war broke out. The shelling was close; we knew we had to leave quickly." With no vehicles available, they traveled on foot, then by bus, enduring military stops and beatings along the way. The journey to the border took seven harrowing days, during which they were separated from their cousin.

Separated from their father, whose whereabouts have been unknown since the 2013 crisis, and having lost their mother in 2019, Nyakuma became the sole caregiver for Ajou. "I had no other choice. I had to manage. It was my job to protect my brother and the other children I met along the way who were also without parents."

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Life in Malakal is incredibly difficult for them. "It’s a heavy burden for me to bear raising him on my own," Nyakuma shares. "He’s not attending school right now because we can’t afford the fees. I can’t meet many of our basic needs. The living conditions here are terrible."

War Child provided them with cash assistance, which they used for food and water. Ajou also attended War Child’s child-friendly space, where he found some respite. However, his greatest wish is to go to school. "I want to go to school so I can learn and think about the future," says Ajou. "I want to become a doctor or an architect. I want to support my family. I need to live somewhere where I can go to school."

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For Nyakuma, home is more than just a place to live. "Home is where I feel safe and secure, where my brother can go to school in peace, and where we can farm the land around us. Education is crucial because it gives children like my brother hope and supports their dreams.

Nyakuma and Ajou's story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of children affected by war. War Child’s Protection Officer, Amos, highlights the challenges: "Ajou is very young and without his parents. Once we identify such cases, we usually provide long-term case management and psychological support. But the circumstances here are really difficult."

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Nyakuma and Ajou, like many others in Malakal, are in desperate need of support. They need stability, education, and a place to call home. Their story is a call to action – a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope can prevail with the right support.