South Sudan at Heart

Public speaking scared me almost to death.   By: Abraham Daljang Maker   It was in mid-June 2006, at exactly 8:00 a.m., when my English teacher called me to his office. Mr Mazu John, who was the head of the Literature and English class at the school, wanted me to participate in the inter-school debate. “Abraham, we have chosen you to take part in tomorrow’s inter-school debate.” He said.  I lowered my head because I had never given a public speech and had no idea how to do it. As he gazed at me to hear my answer, I had a debate within me. Can I go? Can I go...?  I eventually looked up and saw him still staring at me. I bit my lip and struggled to hold back the tears. “Okay, sir, I will go,” I replied.  “Good boy, you will be the second main speaker, so get ready, and by lunch time, we shall be on our way.” He said. The motion of the debate was ( advanced technology has a significant advantage in today’s world)    I quickly l...

Obstetric fistula ruins women’s lives in South Sudan By: Abraham Daljang Maker KAMPALA: Many women in Lakes State are in pain and socially ostracized because of obstetric fistula but treatment is in short supply.  Underage pregnancies or extended birth can cause obstetric fistula, a condition which blights the lives of many women in South Sudan.  “When a woman's pelvis is small or when a caesarian section is done poorly, it damages the woman’s birth canal,” said Peter Mangar Lual, a nurse in Akot primary health care.   Underage pregnancies and marriages are common in the Dinka culture, which increases the risk of the complication, which can cause a woman to leak urine or faeces, meaning she is socially outcast. In South Sudan girls around six percent of women were married when they were under 15. Almost half of all women are married by the time they turn 18, a United Nation report estimates.  Women are more likely to suffer the condition...