The National Staff Association of the UN Mission in South Sudan has mobilized a variety of items to support vulnerable children at the Juba Orphanage Home and Al-Shabbah Children’s Hospital in the capital, Juba.

Items delivered to the two institutions included rice, maize flour, beans, cooking oil and non-food items such as tables, chairs and blankets.

“We are trying to protect and save the lives of these children with the assistance we have given to them in order to create an environment conducive for learning and a healthy mindset,” said Bennett Kenyi, the President of the NSA. “We are donating these items to give them the courage necessary in order to grow up as responsible citizens in the future.”

Mr Kenyi said that the Association mobilized the little resources they had to support the vulnerable children, who will grow up to be the leaders of South Sudan.

Jubek State Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Rose Lisok Paulino,  said that she was moved by the spirit of volunteerism shown by UNMISS national staff. She said that such acts of kindness give hope to the children that they have not been forgotten.

Ms Rose said that war, which has never been part of South Sudanese culture, was to blame for the ongoing suffering in the young nation. 

The State Minister appealed to the United Nations mission to help bring lasting peace to South Sudan so that the nation can live in peace and harmony.

“No mother wants to see her children go hungry, grow up without education, and live in an insecure environment. A mother needs the best for her kids and the best for her family,” she said.

The Director of Juba Orphanage Home, Angelo Kenyi Samuel said that they have been struggling to mobilize financial support for the running of the orphanage which currently houses 55 children.

The Jubek State Secretariat also received some office chairs and tables.

The UNMISS National Staff Association hopes to extend support to prisons in Juba.