What is the impact of the Lord's Resistance Army presence in the region?
What do you think is the most pressing issue that needs to be addressed?
Health. There are a lot of people living with HIV and AIDS. The church and the society as well as the government and the agencies should all together address this problem. There are cases of malnutrition too. They need hospitals and health workers.
Another urgent need is education. Churches should get more involved in this field, in skills and technical training, and the government should support that through funding. People need schools and a university. Nowadays, to access higher education they need to go to neighbouring Uganda or to Juba, the capital of Southern Sudan. The high level of unemployment is a consequence of lack of education. Of course the lack of infrastructure does not help and needs to be addressed too.
In Yambio, government and churches have a good cooperation that should be spread to all regions.
How can your church, which is so far away, help the churches in Sudan?
We have been praying for Sudan for several years. Prayer is a very mighty power, a great power that can change things. Once I am back home I will write in the church magazine about what I have seen, and mobilize people to pray and work for peace.
It is true that from a distance we cannot do much, but we can support initiatives taken through the World Council of Churches, for instance supporting its involvement in the CPA process. We could also send teachers - we have plenty of teachers - and maybe some doctors. There should be ways in which we could enter into a relationship with the churches in Sudan.
What do you take back home with you from this visit?
Although the people in Yambio live under very harsh conditions and insecurity, the village system allows them to support each other. They find their security in the love and care of the people, not in the military. This is something the modern world should learn. We think of security in terms of powerful weapons, but if you are bound in a community by love and care for the humanity that is the greatest security. So we have to learn from these villages that our security is ultimately in the hands of God as well as of a loving community. It is hatred that brings insecurity while love brings security. That is something we need to learn.
