For many returnees displaced by brutal Sudan conflict now settled in the temporary camp in Renk, South Sudan, finding a job and educating their children is a dream. Located 40km south of the border with Sudan, life in the camp can be challenging. 

Bibiana Peter a mother of five lives with her children at the old Transit Centre also known as TC1. She explained that life at the camp has not been easy until she got a job with Oxfam as a latrine attendant. 

Before her current role, 44year old Bibiana, had to fetch firewood from the bush and sell in order to buy lentils for her children. 

“When I arrived here, survival was very hard. We were given a one-off coupon for meal but it only lasted week. I had to fend for my family or else we starve to death, and this would mean walking deep into the forest to fetch firewood, facing dangers like snakes and the risk of being attacked. If I was lucky, I sell firewood to buy little food and if not, we slept hungry, said Bibiana.

The mother of five said now she is able to send two of her children to school because of the small incentives she gets from her job as latrine attendant.

“I’m grateful for this job because now my sons can join school. I managed to buy decent clothes and other basic needs for them from the money I get at the end of every month. I’m happy now we are no longer starving as we used to because can buy food for my children,” she narrated.

Bibiana Peter a mother of five lives with her children at an old transit centre. Photo credit: Yangi Justine/ Oxfam

Oxfam South Sudan with support from Oxfam Hong Kong, is responding to the Sudan crisis by improving the lives of the affected returnees and refugees seeking safety in Renk, South Sudan.

Oxfam South Sudan, with support from Oxfam Hong Kong, is addressing the Sudan crisis by improving the lives of affected returnees and refugees in Renk. The project has reached over 12,768 individuals with integrated WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and protection interventions.

The project has reached over 12,768 individuals with integrated water, sanitation, hygiene and protection interventions like distribution of WASH NSFIs such as buckets, soap, cups and so on.