I AM SOUTH SUDANESE. I went to Khartoum [Sudan] in 2019 to study at the Comboni College of Science and Technology. I was working at a hospital at night, and in the morning I went to school. That’s what I was doing when the war broke out in April 2023. There in Khartoum, Christians and Muslims were living normally. I was studying with them. I used to play soccer, basketball, and chill with them anytime. On Saturday morning, I was at home and we heard some big ammunitions. We saw a jet flying in the sky, shooting. It was terrible. For two days, from morning until 6 p.m., the guns never stopped. Everyone was shocked.

I was living with my uncle’s wife and kids in Khartoum, and we came by bus to South Sudan together. It was a tough journey. Guns were being fired between Rapid Support Forces and Sudan Armed Forces. When we came to Renk, there was no access to clean water because of the floods. In Paloich, there were no shelters. The airport terminal was too crowded. People covered themselves with tarps for protection from the rain. The U.N. refugee agency distributed food and buckets for drinking water. The South Sudan government hired a plane to bring civilians to Juba for free. Thank God I’ve come back home safe.

I am 25 years old and a Christian. I want to tell Christian leaders in the world to contribute to the needy, so they can have hope that they are human. Support human rights. Bring the message of peace. This war has caused millions of people to flee their homes to neighboring countries like Chad, Ethiopia, and Egypt. Most children being displaced are not studying. They lack hospitals, food, and water. I am continuing my studies so that the generation that comes after me will not see what I’ve seen. Everyone loves peace. No one hates peace. Whether you are a Muslim or Christian, peace is good.

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