2018
Last stop Uganda
Jenneth (22) and her son Lemy (1) is getting on the bus, which will take them to a permanent settlement further into Uganda.
It's just a few hours ago since they arrived at the Goboro collection center.
They will soon be leaving together with other refugees. Strangers, but from the same country and with the same goal.
Gang rape, sexual mutilation, abductions and sexual slavery, as well as murder, has become a common thing in South Sudan. By soldiers and bandits.
According to a UN report for South Sudan February 2019, where UNICEF reports:
About targeted sexual violence, by children, including rape of girls as young as seven years. Elderly and pregnant women have also been raped.
The Commission also received reports of male victims of sexual violence.
Sexual and gender-based violence against men and boys is even more underreported than that against women and girls, as there is a higher level of stigma.
There are even reports of rape and murder of young and old.
Walking for one week along the road in the strong heat, carrying on her child, and nothing else than the clothes she’s is wearing, Jenneth has finally made it to the border.
I did see many dead and abused bodies on the way. It was stressful and constantly to be alert to dangers, always being prepared to run into the jungle for hiding.
Her village of Kajo-Keji in South Sudan is far away by now.
Many of the refugees comes in toward the border areas from paths out in the jungle, here there are no marked border crossings.
Here they hide during the night, it is safer to pass in the morning. The risk of being attacked by soldiers is high.
She’s is just a few meters from the neighboring country. The daylight comes, and Jenneth rushes over the border.
Finally, she is safe.
Away from the fear of abuse and violence many women and men are exposed to in their home country.
Jenneth knows. One morning I brought some food to my husband who looked after the cattles out on the fields.
"It was when they appeared"
The government soldiers were many that day and they started attacking all who were nearby.
Many were killed, including friends of mine. Others rushed to hide in the jungle.
"I couldn't escape since I had a small child with me"
My husband tried to convince the soldiers of our innocence, that we were not rebels, or affiliated with them in any way. It didn't work.
"In front of my eyes they cut the throat over to my husband"
Then two soldiers raped me on the ground next to him. Afterwards they just let me be. My son Lemy stayed untouched, thank God for that.
The locals often notify the authorities in the border area when they see the refugees coming out from the jungle trails. Then they are sent to temporary gathering spots located in the border areas.
BidiBidi is not a refugee camp where refugees are placed inside an area covered with barbed wire fence. Its a settlement for refugees. Here they can move freely as they wish.
After registering they are provided with a tent from the UN and a small land patch where they can grow their own food. In the Goboro center they get emergency medical help, as well as given food and water supplies.
Many of them have been walking for days, without getting any nutrition.
My family in the village, I know nothing about their situation or whether they are alive.
Now we are well taken care of here in Uganda. There is hope to forget, and I can start a new life with my son.
I am thinking of the future. To get an education, to raise money for my family. I had to quit the school when my father died.
I have no interest in returning back home as long as the war is going on. I do not want my son to experience the same problems as me when he grows up.
I hope and believe the peace one day will come to South Sudan. What has happened is now history.
I have accepted my situation says Jenneth.
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