By Jenifer James
In the heart of Lakes State Abiriu payam, Cueibet County, a 45-year-old Deborah Charles stands tall, her vibrant jalabya, a traditional South Sudanese dress adorned with intricate patterns, flowing gracefully as she works on her thriving vegetable farm. Her story is one of resilience, resourcefulness, and cultural ingenuity, offering hope to women in rural South Sudan.
Deborah’s life has not been without hardship. Early in her marriage, she faced years of infertility, a challenge that carried profound societal stigma in her community.
“In our culture, a woman without children feels the weight of judgment every day,” Deborah shares, her voice steady but reflective. “It was a deep pain, but my husband always supported me.”
Tragically, her husband passed away, leaving Deborah not only to grieve but also to fend for herself in a patriarchal society where women often have limited decision-making power.
Determined to find a way forward, Deborah embraced vegetable farming. Her small plot of land became a sanctuary, producing okra, carrots, onions, eggplants, kudra, tomatoes, and amaruts. “When I started farming, it wasn’t just about survival. It gave me purpose,” she says, wiping her hands on her jalabya. “Every seed I planted felt like hope being reborn.”
With the income from her farming efforts, Deborah made a life-changing decision.
In consultation with her brother, she arranged to marry a woman who would bear children in Deborah’s name—a cultural practice among the people of Greater Bahr el Ghazal Region
“It was a way to preserve my legacy and fulfill the societal expectation of having children,” she explains. “I agreed with my brother to stay with the wife and bear children in my name.”
The woman Deborah married has since given birth to three children, all of whom are named after Deborah. “I may not have given birth to them, but they are mine in every way that matters,” she says, her face breaking into a proud smile. “I provide for them through the vegetables I grow, and they bring joy and completeness to my life.” This is the cooperative garden where most women in Cueibet County Abiriu payam are cultivating.
Despite her success, life in Cueibet County remains fraught with challenges. Medical facilities are scarce, and essential medicines are often unavailable. “During the dry season, we used to suffer from diarrhea because we relied so much on okra,” Deborah explains. “Eye infections and other illnesses also made it hard for us to work and care for our families. But I’ve learned to diversify our meals, which has helped reduce some of these issues.”
Deborah Charles sitting in for an exclusive interview [photo credit: Jenifer James, King News]
Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and resourcefulness of women in rural South Sudan.
“I want other women to know that even when life throws its hardest challenges at us, we can rise above them,” she says, adjusting her jalabya. “We may not have all the opportunities, but with determination, we can build something beautiful.”
As she tends to her flourishing garden, the bright colors of her jalabya reflect her unwavering spirit and the vibrant life she has cultivated against all odds.
Deborah Charles is not just a farmer she is a testament to the strength of women who turn adversity into opportunity, nurturing life and hope in the most challenging circumstances.