Our job is running towards danger, not away from it!

YAMBIO - Esther John Hayat is hard to miss on the Yambio airstrip.

Driving a candy-red fire truck across the tarmac, dressed in a hard hat and a fireproof suit, she cuts a striking figure. But it’s not just the uniform and vehicle that draws attention, it’s the fact she’s the only woman in the entire state of Western Equatoria doing this job.

Her day begins at 6:00 am with meticulous equipment checks of the hoses, water cannons, fire extinguishers, the power saw to cut through airplane skins and power-blowers to dispel smoke in case of rescue.

There is no room for error for this fire safety assistant serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

“In an emergency, the response time is 60 seconds to 2 minutes only,” she explains.

Despite the responsibility and her “dangerous” job, Esther isn’t fazed because she’s had years of experience on the job.

But her career has been anything but easy.

Growing up during the war for South Sudan’s independence, Esther witnessed devastation and loss. As a teenager in Maridi, she fled into the bush with her family when fighting erupted. When they returned, everything was in ruins.

“I also had a baby early and it was hard,” she recalls. “But I knew in my heart that I needed to complete my education if I wanted to escape that life.”

That determination guided her through the most trying times. From selling tea and doing odd jobs to support her family, to working with humanitarian organizations as a health promoter and HIV/AIDS counsellor.

Today, she stands by the fire truck, fuelled by that same drive.

Emergencies are rare but preparation must be constant, she says.

“In case of an emergency or a fire, you will find that everyone must evacuate and run away. But our job is to run towards it!” she laughs.

“When people, especially children, see me in the fire truck, they often point and say, ‘look at the woman behind the wheel. It makes me incredibly proud.”

For these children, Esther is not just a firefighter, but a role model.

“I love my job and am immensely proud of what I do. It gives me independence and respect.”
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By Robin Giri