By Taban Gabriel
Social Organizational Society (SOS) Children’s Villages South Sudan provided 10 caregivers from Gumbo with baking tools and poultry farming start-up capital following a two-week intensive training at Rajaf Payam Vocational Centre as part of its one-year kinship project in Juba.
The package included cash, baking pans, plates, a food grinder, a hand mixer, and baking powder to support their new ventures to “sustain and improve the welfare of the Kinship families,” according to youth coordinator Isaac James.
“The project started very small, it started with the distribution of food items for six months, and what was next after the food items were finished. That is why we conceived the idea of training you on how to prepare cookies and keeping poultry, at least that one is sustainable,” Isacc said.
Isaac James, speaks to beneficiaries (Photo Credit: Taban Gabriel, King News)
The SOS official acknowledged and appreciated the support of the local government and community leaders towards the realization of the project.
“We are working under the government stewardship, every organization operating in this country works in partnership with the directorate of social welfare in cooperation with community leaders, so I also thank the chiefs in such moment,” he reiterated.
Isaac cautioned the beneficiaries against what he described as the “misuse” of the equipment and start-up capital. The youth coordinator added that a follow-up committee would be formed to ensure the proper use of the equipment by the beneficiaries.
Clementina Lokiremoi, a resident of Gumbo, (Photo Credit: Taban Gabriel)
During the event at Rajaf Payam headquarters, the hall erupted with cheers as the recipients of the project ululated and clapped in response to the speech delivered by the SOS official. Caregivers who spoke to the author expressed their gratitude and indebtedness towards SOS Children’s Villages South Sudan.
An elderly beneficiary, Clementina Lokiremoi, a resident of Gumbo, takes care of two children left behind by her daughters. “I am telling them, thank you so much. You have helped me a lot”
Clementina said that she once owned a poultry farm before giving it up to her grandchildren due to “circumstances beyond control.”
“After my husband died, I was scared no one would take care of them, so I sent them to the village to support my other grandchildren,” Clementina said.
20-year-old Simon Wani, who happens to be the only male recipient at the event, said he is ready to start up a poultry farm in his house
“I have never for once ventured into a poultry business, but with faith and the training I acquired, I believe I will manage,” Wani said
Omer Sharfadin, the Director of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Gender Child and Social Welfare, Central Equatoria State, encouraged the caregivers to be friendly to their children.
“Don’t yell at your children, don’t overload children, don’t beat children, if you do, they will leave home and go to the street to become gangs, who is at a loss? It is the same you, the mother,” he said
According to SOS Children’s Village South Sudan’s National Director Richard Wani, the kinship care program was implemented in the community of Gumbo Central early this year, targeting 30 children who had lost parental care.
The project supports 30 beneficiaries under ten kinship caregivers with food assistance, clothing, cleaning materials, educational needs, and training the caregivers on income-generating activities, physiological counseling, and provision of health care needs.
“The Kinship Care program aims to significantly enhance the well-being of children who have lost parental care. Kinship care is one of the best alternative care options. It provides the children with love, a sense of belonging, and a lifelong connection to their community,” Richard said.
Richard said the Kinship Care program will “significantly enhance the well-being of children who have lost parental care,”
“Kinship care is one of the best alternative care options. It provides the children with love, a sense of belonging, and a lifelong connection to their community. Within kinship care, children participate and learn in a family and learn their cultures, have a sense of shared history, and also learn important social skills that help them to engage and interact as family members later in life,” he explained.
According to Director Richard, the kinship project will end in December 2024.