Community members and government officials gathered by the hundreds under the shade of an ancient tree in Lui Payam, Western Equatoria to discuss peace-building measures and air grievances during a day-long dialogue.

“This is a chance to study at a high-quality vocational training centre in a newly-independent nation and to gain new skills that will allow us to bring change to the country,” said Jacob Mayon as he described what it meant to him to be admitted to the Hanbit Vocational Training Centre in Bor.

Equipped with shovels and broomsticks, some 800 national and international peacekeepers deployed along one of Juba’s main city streets on the weekend. Their efforts resulted in a whopping 1,700 garbage bags being filled, destined for the capital’s main dumpsite.