South Sudan

Well, I’m back from Juba and Kajo Keji, and it was ace!! I loved it. It was green, beautiful and the climate was good. Not that I’m complaining about Renk. The people were great too, so welcoming, but that’s Africa.

It was quite a trip to Kajo Keji. Had to get a bus to Khartoum (5 ½ hours), then flew to Juba (4 hours), then flew to Kajo Keji (30 minutes). Flying was great! In the smallest little plane. Couldn’t believe a little propeller at the front of the plane would allow us to take off, let alone stay in the air! It was wonderful seeing South Sudan from a plane – gives you a better idea of what it’s really like.

Kajo Keji is so small. Flying in was what I always imagined aid work to be like. In the middle of no-where, flying in to a remote village somewhere. We got quite an audience when we landed – I think the arrival of a plane is as exciting as it gets in Kajo Keji J

So, we spent the next five days talking about sand filters, screening material, making sand filters, talking about sand filters, screening material, making sand filters…you get the idea. But it was great. a really good group of people attended, and the majority of them volunteers, which is fairly rare in Sudan. And they’re all really keen to set up a sand filter programme. The only thing is, funding… It’s such a shame that everything comes down to money.

I had a great time. And then two very good nights in Juba – got to eat pizza and meet new people, which is always good.

Now I’m back in Renk…trying to find a CBO (Community Based Organisation) to take on a sand filter project, get institutional latrines underway, carry out a survey on year 1 water activities, get someone to come and train the government on our water quality testing kit, mobilise communities to want sand filters…

Oh the joys. It’s good work. Challenging, but I’m learning lots, getting to meet new people all the time, and experience a new culture. What is there to complain about?