Sunday 8 March is International Women's Day.
This report from Oxfam provides a rare insight to the life of a woman in South Sudan - the world's newest nation (only established in 2011) and where Oxfam provides aid for a staggering 400,000 people.
"Following decades of conflict, women in South Sudan have become the backbone of their communities since a large number of men were killed, or were separated from their families. Women stepped in to fill roles that had traditionally been held by men. They have been taking care of their homes and families, the sick and the wounded, as well as managing agricultural production.
Women in South Sudan have borne a heavy price for the country’s numerous conflicts, and are the unsung heroines in the country’s turbulent history.
This is Angelina’s story.
“My mother died when I was a teenager, in between all the running, because there was no one to treat her illness. Between all the fighting, it was difficult to get her to a hospital.”
Angelina is now a single mother of five living in Melut, South Sudan. Her husband died last year, succumbing to wounds inflicted in 1993 during the war between the Sudanese government and the Sudan’s People Liberation Army, which left him disabled, and blind in one eye.
“I dress in white because I lost my husband. I will wear it for three more months, in respect to his memory. When people see me on the streets, they know immediately what I have been through, and show their respect as well. After dressing in white for 12 months, I will wear black for another 12, to symbolise a change in my heart.”
“Our family relied on the income from my husband’s shop in the market. After he passed on, we had nothing. I had to find a way to take care of myself and my children. I chose to sell the grass because it required no capital, just will and strength. The business is not doing too well. There are a lot of people in situations similar to mine, and like me, they make the journey to collect the grass themselves. It’s not easy to make money around here, but you have to try.”
Every day, Angelina leaves her eldest daughter in charge of her other children and begins her long journey in search of the tall, yellow stemmed, honey laced grass used to build walls and fences. She sells a bag of this grass for $2, which she uses to take care of her family.
“There are a lot of people in situations similar to mine, and like me, they make the journey to collect the grass themselves. It’s not easy to make money around here, but you have to try.”
“I live each day trying to honor the hours in it. There is no need to advertise sadness, or to wear your sorrow like a mask. It does not add anything, because you already know how you feel. It is not what is seen externally that matters, as it all passes. It’s the strength inside that counts.”
“Animals find food with one limb, so why should you, a human being, go hungry if you have both arms and legs?”
“Whatever we are going through, it is not permanent. Change is the only thing that is certain. I am struggling, raising my children alone. I get sad sometimes, and I get lonely, but it will all pass. In life, you suffer to find something good, for yourself and for your family. I am just trying to do my part.”
Go to the Oxfam report here.
This report from Oxfam provides a rare insight to the life of a woman in South Sudan - the world's newest nation (only established in 2011) and where Oxfam provides aid for a staggering 400,000 people.
"Following decades of conflict, women in South Sudan have become the backbone of their communities since a large number of men were killed, or were separated from their families. Women stepped in to fill roles that had traditionally been held by men. They have been taking care of their homes and families, the sick and the wounded, as well as managing agricultural production.
Women in South Sudan have borne a heavy price for the country’s numerous conflicts, and are the unsung heroines in the country’s turbulent history.
This is Angelina’s story.
“My mother died when I was a teenager, in between all the running, because there was no one to treat her illness. Between all the fighting, it was difficult to get her to a hospital.”
Angelina is now a single mother of five living in Melut, South Sudan. Her husband died last year, succumbing to wounds inflicted in 1993 during the war between the Sudanese government and the Sudan’s People Liberation Army, which left him disabled, and blind in one eye.
“I dress in white because I lost my husband. I will wear it for three more months, in respect to his memory. When people see me on the streets, they know immediately what I have been through, and show their respect as well. After dressing in white for 12 months, I will wear black for another 12, to symbolise a change in my heart.”
“Our family relied on the income from my husband’s shop in the market. After he passed on, we had nothing. I had to find a way to take care of myself and my children. I chose to sell the grass because it required no capital, just will and strength. The business is not doing too well. There are a lot of people in situations similar to mine, and like me, they make the journey to collect the grass themselves. It’s not easy to make money around here, but you have to try.”
Every day, Angelina leaves her eldest daughter in charge of her other children and begins her long journey in search of the tall, yellow stemmed, honey laced grass used to build walls and fences. She sells a bag of this grass for $2, which she uses to take care of her family.
“There are a lot of people in situations similar to mine, and like me, they make the journey to collect the grass themselves. It’s not easy to make money around here, but you have to try.”
“I live each day trying to honor the hours in it. There is no need to advertise sadness, or to wear your sorrow like a mask. It does not add anything, because you already know how you feel. It is not what is seen externally that matters, as it all passes. It’s the strength inside that counts.”
“Animals find food with one limb, so why should you, a human being, go hungry if you have both arms and legs?”
“Whatever we are going through, it is not permanent. Change is the only thing that is certain. I am struggling, raising my children alone. I get sad sometimes, and I get lonely, but it will all pass. In life, you suffer to find something good, for yourself and for your family. I am just trying to do my part.”
Go to the Oxfam report here.
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