28 January 2014 - Civilians sheltering at the UNMISS base in Bentiu, Unity State, spent this evening cleaning their protection areas with the Mongolian battalion, and taking part in "fun" activities.

Mongolians handed out stationary and provided a space for children to draw pictures illustrating their dreams and future aspirations.

Many of the children’s drawings focused on tukuls (conical mud and straw huts) -- homes they let behind when fighting broke out in Bentiu on 19 December 2013 between pro- and anti-government forces.

Ten-year-old Marsa Isaac said she had drawn a tukul and a flower garden. “In the future I want to be a doctor,” he said.

Yaya David, 12, said he’d drawn a tukul that people could live in. “When I’m big I want to have a tukul like this.”

The drawing of Nya Sunday, 9, depicted an activity she had left behind. “I drew a football because I like playing football. Since I came to the camp I haven’t have any fun.”

Mongolian Commander Colonel Erdenebat Batsuuri said his soldiers had come to South Sudan because the country needed peace and development. “You, the children are the key to the good future of the country.”

A Mongolian team played football with a group of camp residents and spontaneous mixed groups also formed for games.

All was accompanied by music and a short show from the military band.

Mongolian medical teams performed check-ups in two protection areas. Children received yogurt, biscuits and oranges. The evening culminated with a movie show after dark.