By Baraka John
St. Bakhita Orphanage in Nzara County continues to witness a growing number of orphaned children, as the ongoing conflict in Tombura County leaves families torn apart and children without parents. The orphanage, now home to 250 children, faces increasing challenges, particularly concerning its budget and ability to provide for the growing number of children in its care.
Sister Rose Rita Daniel, the secretary of the orphanages in an interview with King News on Saturday, said the conflict in Tombura has displaced many families, and as violence persists, more children are being brought to the orphanage, some of whom have lost both parents in the violence that has torn apart families.
“What has led to the increased, the continuous war that is going on. Most children’s parents have been abducted or killed literally; others ran away without seeing their parents anymore, and then they are being brought to us by those who are running. Also, here [Nzara], we have children whose parents died completely. They have nobody, then the community can bring the children to us”. Rose lamented
She said previously, the orphanage had 175 orphaned children. However, with the ongoing conflict in Tombura and the worsening economy of South Sudan, the number of orphans has increased to 250.
Sister Rose spoke candidly about the difficulties at the orphanage, she said the survival of the orphanage relies heavily on the generosity of donors, especially when it comes to feeding and caring for these children.
“When the food finishes we get it rough because we have not settled and we have not cultivated, but this year we hope to get settle and we cultivate. Right now we don’t have something that can bring us income, we don’t have agriculture tools that can help us to dig for ourselves”. Rose added
She said despite the hardships, the orphanage provides meals like porridge or bread for breakfast and rice or cassava in the morning and evening meal.
According to Sister Rose, the new location in Nzara has seen significant progress, with the support of the Sudan Relief Fund, several buildings have been constructed, including dormitories, staff quarters, separate accommodations for boys and girls, and a kitchen. A multipurpose hall is also under construction, which will serve as both a dining area and community space.
The St. Bakhita Orphanage was forced to relocate from Tombura to Nzara in 2024 after fresh violence broke out nearly two years ago. The violence displaced the orphanage, forcing both the children and caretakers to seek shelter in Yambio. With the help of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio and donors like the Sudan Relief Fund, the orphanage was able to establish a new home in Nzara, offering improved living conditions.
Orphans children at St. Bakhita Orphanage Nzara County posed for a group photo with the visiting first apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan during his visit to the orphanage on Saturday, 1st Feb 2025 (Baraka John, King News)
Rose said, in addition to the infrastructure, donors provide regular food supplies, including beans, rice, sugar, and maize flour. Cash donations are also used to purchase balanced diets, medicine, and other essentials for the children’s well-being, but the secretary worried with the rising number which she said could affect center’s budget line.
Sister Biaka, who founded St. Bakhita Orphanage over 20 years ago in Tombura, and had overseen the orphanage’s operations, explained the necessity of having a mother figure for young children who have lost their mothers. She shared the vision behind the center.
“For those children who have lost the mother very young, where will they find a woman like a mother to bring them up that is why I started this center”. Sister Biaka stated
The St. Bakhita Orphanage has also become a home for children of various ethnicities, including those from neighboring countries like Eritrea, offering them safety and hope for a better future.
She said St. Bakhita the orphanage’s survival depends on continued support from donors and well-wishers who understand the gravity of the crisis unfolding in South Sudan.