WESTERN EQUATORIA - “We are tired of war. We want to learn. We want to build. And we want to play.”
For Namaku Victoria Edward, these words express a simple but powerful hope: to grow up in a country where children can attend school, play with friends, and pursue their dreams without fear.
“Our message today is clear: we want peace,” emphasized the passionate young student.
Victoria spoke during the celebration of United Nations (UN) Day in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, where students, the UN family, local authorities and community members came together for a clean-up campaign and tree-planting exercise.
The initiative highlighted the connection between caring for the environment and fostering peace, unity, and a sustainable future.
For student Bikoyesu Samuel Justin, the occasion was a reminder that peace must extend beyond commemorations and become part of everyday life.
“Peace should not be something we pursue on a specific day. Instead, it should be part of everyday life in our classrooms, communities, and country. So let us come together and make peace an integral part to our lives,” he urged all gathered.
As participants cleaned their surroundings and planted trees, they also demonstrated how working together can strengthen community ties while contributing to public health and environmental protection.
Claudine Karera, an UNMISS medical officer, used the opportunity to provide insights on how the maintenance of clean surroundings can prevent disease and promote good hygiene:
“Keeping our surroundings clean is directly related to the prevention of diseases.”
She also stressed that the ultimate responsibilities for peacebuilding rests with local authorities and communities.
“We are partners in peace. Communities are responsible for building their peace, and we are always here to support them,” she added.
The initiative also received support from local authorities. The caretaker Commissioner of Yambio county, Modi Enosa Mbaraza, pledged that the government would organize similar clean-up activities and tree planting across the town to protect the environment, boost agriculture, and local livelihoods.
For UNMISS, the celebration was an opportunity to reaffirm the mission’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in South Sudan and highlight the importance of creating a secure future for the next generation.
“The future belongs to the students here, and that future must be secured through safety and security,” said Njoki Kinyanjui, UNMISS Head of Field Office in Yambio.
The message from these young students is clear: peace means more than living without conflict. It means having the freedom and security to learn, play and dream.
Their voices offered a compelling reminder that South Sudan’s future depends on creating a society where every child can grow up with hope and the opportunity to turn that hope into reality.
By Denis Louro
