Ms. Becky Ajak Malith, a 20 year old school girl at the Bishop Mazzolari Memorial Secondary school has broken her silence by becoming a peace activist in an attempt to reconcile the fractured society of Western Lakes.

She does this by going to churches, schools and other public places to preach peace and reconciliation. With the little support she gets from the State Ministry of Education and the UNMISS, she in the company of others is able to discuss messages of peace with many people.

“I am a peace activist. My state, my country, desires peace. And for peace to prevail, young people like me (men and women) alike should spearhead the campaign,” Ajak stated.

Asked why she wants peace : “Peace is good, peace is development, peace strengthens economy, peace means good education and decent health services…..these are some of the so many good reasons I became peace activist,” she stressed.

The activist calls on the government and community members to discourage harmful cultural practices like force and early marriages. She says a married child does not find tranquility at all in their marital homes because they are not physically and mentally ready to shoulder challenges that come forth.

“For us to be a viable, prosperous and peaceful nation, the practice of early and forced marriages should stop. We can do this by allowing girls to pursue studies and to freely choose their spouses. Peace does not only come with silence of guns but with also discarding harmful cultural practices,” she added.

She says lack of peace troubles her. She urges people to immediately stop cattle raiding and revenge killings.

“I am troubled by lack of peace in my state, triggered by cycles of cattle rustling and revenge killings. It is my duty to preach. I will continue with this campaign by visiting churches and other public places to talk about the importance of peace. It is high time for us to decry killings and looting of property”.