JUBA – It’s a quiet Saturday at the Confident Children out of Conflict center in Juba.
While violence is rising across the country, the space is a rare sanctuary amidst the chaos.
A sanctuary that has become home to 52 children. Having been subjected to all kinds of hardships or abuses, they have found a place to rest and heal. To explore passions and interests that will define their futures.
Kidende loves spending her free time indulging in the depths of literary revolutions. The story told in her favorite book, ‘Things fall apart’ by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, reminds her of her own – a continuous navigation of traditions and freedom. Of looking below the surface and finding inspiration in the miracles this world has to offer.
“What I like about the book is that it teaches you about someone different. You know there are some things that happen that we don’t really understand but if we are open to confront our histories, they may teach us a lot,” explains the 18-year-old.
Just like her past, which remains a bit of a mystery to her after spending most of her life at the orphanage. At three years old, she was brought here by relatives protecting her from abuse.
CCC provided her with clothing, food and, most importantly, safety. Founded in 2007, the non-governmental organization’s mission is to provide a safe space that empowers children to imagine new futures not shaped by their pasts. To empower each other.
Seeing how the older children care for the younger ones and integrate any new arrivals, this mission seems to have proven successful.
“Most of the little ones came and found me here. Since all of us older children still remember how it felt to be new, we try our best to make them comfortable,” shares Kidende.
While there are frequent quarrels as is the case in any family with so many siblings, Orphanage Manager Bida Samson Robert and the many unpaid volunteers try their best to make sure that they don’t last long, always reminding them of the beauty of love.
“My greatest happiness is that all the children love each other as brothers and sisters which is one of the core values we try to instill in them. The children facing their pasts together and supporting each other on their healing journeys is beautiful to witness and be a part of,” shares Bida.
The orphanage welcomes many external volunteers on weekends, providing financial, material and psychosocial support. Such as Marion Palm-Eggert, Police Advisor with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan who has been visiting and aiding the organization since her arrival almost a year ago.
The moments she spends playing with the little children or talking to the older girls, who now trust her enough to share their most private struggles, are a big part of her mission in South Sudan.
“Coming here means everything to me. Experiencing the strength and kind hearts of the kids and volunteers here inspires me to do the best I can.”
For example, collecting funds from friends and families and gathering support from other organizations that recently guaranteed another year of paid school fees for all eligible children.
“If you want to see good, you have to do it,” says Marion, sharing her motto.
And there is a lot of good to see. Not least the many futures imagined here – from becoming a doctor to fashion models or politicians, each child has a dream to share.
For Kidende, it is to follow the footsteps of previous residents and contribute to the dreams of others like her.
“When I get a good job that I can get enough money from, I will not forget about this orphanage. I will come back as so many of us have done to support the kids that are still here.”
By Jaella Brockmann
