Children suffering from ongoing violence and poverty have urged political leaders to restore peace and stability in the South Sudanese town of Yei.
The appeal was made during a recent visit to Yei by the head of the UN mission in South Sudan, David Shearer who met with political, religious and community leaders to discuss the ongoing insecurity in the region.
Student Esther Quintin said that her parents were killed when she was young and she is now living with her uncle and his family who are unable to provide her with the financial support she needs to survive.
“I don’t have parents. My friends are all dead. I don’t have anyone to support me in my education. I don’t have anything to eat or the money to support myself in education,” she said.
Christ the King Primary School Head Teacher, Taban Emmanuel Elisa, said many of the children were severely traumatized by the violence they were witnessing or being subjected to so it was important that the school to remain open to provide them with support and a sense of routine.
“We can’t surrender. That is one of our mottos at the school,” he said. “Even if problems are like that, education must continue so the generation to come should not face the challenges that we are in,” he added.
Students who have lost their parents said that education is all they have left. For them, it is a chance for a way out and a way forward to a brighter future.
“The challenge that is facing South Sudan is the crisis that is affecting the children at our school,” said Head Boy Emmanuel Mambo. “I want to beg our leaders, let them bring peace to South Sudan so that South Sudanese children will enjoy their life like the one of long ago,” he added.
The UN mission said it was considering establishing a new peacekeeping base in Yei to protect civilians and help build durable peace. Before that happens, it wants local authorities to guarantee access for peacekeepers to outlying areas and evidence of a genuinely inclusive peace process.