Doing it for our children

Mother-to-mother support group harvests success

One group of mothers and mother-figures in South Sudan have come together, determined to see their children survive and have a meaningful future.

Women who never thought they could become successful...farmers, mechanics, business owners, community leaders, nutrition experts, social workers, doctors and teachers.

Yet they are successful, and the generosity of supporters like you is helping them on their way. Thank you!

Join this mother-to-mother support group and meet 15 South Sudanese women who are doing it for their children.

Building a better, healthier future

A lot of South Sudanese women and mothers never had the chance to go to school or fulfil their education hopes. Many fled violence and war, making temporary shelters their new homes. Sadly, even rape and sexual violence are a reality for numerous women.

When forced to flee, it’s extremely common for women and mothers to not only leave with their children but also take care of children who’ve been orphaned or left behind.

With little access to social services or childcare, the idea of becoming successful farmers may feel like an impossible dream.

But these women and mothers are growing a future from the smallest of seeds. They have overcome their doubts and extreme difficulties. And together, not only are they growing and selling nutritious food, but they have also helped their children recover from malnutrition, and are now teaching and training other women and mothers in the community how to do the same.

This is an extraordinary story of beauty, highlighting a mother’s heart to see all children grow, overcome and build a better, healthier future.

Out of hardship comes hope

South Sudan has a very complex history.

Everyday life is extremely difficult for many families, especially women and children.

The ongoing effects of decades of violence and conflict can be seen and felt. Political unrest, lack of meaningful employment opportunities, a surging population of people who have been displaced, and the effects of climate change mean life is very difficult and many children do not have their basic needs met.

World Vision has been working in this area since 2016 and, despite the challenges, we see stories like these women who persevered with grit and grace. They have taken an opportunity and grown it into something that they own.

Community farming projects like this mother-to-mother support group aren’t just about food and nutrition. Yes, they help fight malnutrition in children, but they go far beyond a meal.

They offer psychological safety and security by giving women a meaningful way to provide for their children – which increases wellbeing and grows supportive communities. They also help tackle gender-based violence, because when food and money are coming into a household a woman’s agency is increased. Data shows that this leads to an increased sense of peace within individuals, families and communities.

When women work together and support each other, the overflow is more peaceful communities.

Is it all perfect? Absolutely not, but the results are worth celebrating and your support plays a big part in this.

The women of this South Sudanese mother-to-mother support group have survived horrendous atrocities. Together they are recovering and are, without doubt, going to provide a brighter future for their children.

Background

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, after Africa’s longest-running civil war. But independence did not bring peace to the country, as civil war broke out once again two years later.

• 4 million people have been displaced and 400,000 killed since 2013.
• Armed groups have systematically starved the population by destroying crops and taking over land, as a war tactic to deprive their enemies from finding supplies.
• Cycles of droughts and flooding have also caused widespread famine across the country – 1.3 million children are acutely malnourished.
• Many displaced families in South Sudan live in temporary camps and young children are at high risk of dying from preventable diseases.

ENOUGH! End child hunger now

We believe there is enough in this world for every child, no matter where they live, or the crises they face, to have the nourishing food they need to thrive and for families to be more resilient.

Thank you for partnering with us to end child hunger and provide families with the resources they need to support themselves. Together we can enable greater change and help parents to create secure, healthy futures for their children.