South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
In the crowded Protection of Civilians (POC) site in Malakal, women are embarking on a journey of trauma healing and hope. Amid the challenges of displacement, they are discovering strength and resilience through mental health and psychosocial support, reclaiming a sense of empowerment and possibility in their daily lives.
Monica Hakim, a mother and widow living in the POC site, is finding strength and hope through mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) training organised by the Widows and Orphans Charitable Organisation (WOCO).
“For three weeks, we attended sessions that opened our minds and hearts,” Monica recalls. “The trainers helped us understand how to deal with our emotions and how to support our children, even when life is difficult.”
Monica is one of many women displaced by conflict who have faced loss and hardship. “I lost my husband because of the war,” she says quietly. “Now I’m both a mother and a father to my children. I must guide them in the right way, teach them about what happened, and give them hope for the future.”
Through the WOCO training, Monica learned practical ways to communicate with her children and help them cope with trauma. “When I have time, I sit with them and tell them stories about their father and our life before the war,” she explains. “It helps them understand why things have changed and reminds them that they still have family and love.”
Life in the camp remains challenging. “I don’t always have enough time,” she admits. “I go to the forest to collect firewood or to the market to sell what little I have. Sometimes I’m too tired to sit with my children, and they go outside and learn bad behaviours. That’s why I must make time to talk to them and show them what is right.”
The training also taught Monica how to manage her own stress. “When I feel angry or tired, I’ve learned to hold myself together,” she says with a small smile. “I sit quietly, breathe in and out, maybe listen to music or take a shower. It helps me calm down and avoid problems at home.”
Monica has a message for donors and organisations supporting women like her: “We, the women, are suffering and need help. We have many needs—education, livelihood, and support for our families. We ask donors to continue helping us because we are trying our best.”
She also encourages her fellow women: “If you are a woman without a husband, don’t lose hope. You can still build your family. Don’t depend on a man to raise your children or to give you strength. Plan something small to do—it will help your children and your country.”
Meanwhile, Joseph Obac, a parent who attended the training, echoed Monica’s sentiments: “I appreciate WOCO for the training given to us as parents. It taught us how to reduce stress—for instance, breathing in and out can help reduce conflict. We also learned how to be friendly with our children. Many children run away from parents because they are harsh. This training showed us how to understand our children’s needs.”
Joseph added, “My message to donors is to increase projects to other parts of Upper Nile Counties so that the state can be free from stress and trauma.”
The children gather in the Children friendly space after the day long in the schools (credit Jenifer James)
Children in the POC and beyond have also expressed appreciation for the support provided through Child-Friendly Spaces, which engage them in constructive activities after school, such as playing football, singing, and dancing, protecting them from negative influences like gangs. The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and community resilience programmes in Malakal’s POC are funded by the European Union. The project is implemented in consortium, with Save the Children in Akobo, War Child in Malakal town and Lelo Payam, WOCO in the POC, and Ogod Payam.These initiatives aim to provide mental health support, strengthen community coping mechanisms, and promote healing for families affected by conflict.
