Jenn Warren

Multimedia Storytelling: The Spaces in Between

South Sudan has experienced decades of war and trauma, creating social and ethnic divisions and producing a cycle of violence that affects generations. Becoming a mirror for one another, individuals from different backgrounds came together to create a safe space of acknowledgement and re-connection, and to tell their shared stories. 

While forgiveness and memoralisation can prevent future conflict and facilitate peace, each person will always carry with them traces of their loved ones and fractured past. These shared impressions of trauma make up the spaces in the between us all. 

This series bears witness and celebrates some of South Sudan's heroes - Peace Mobilisers working at the grassroots level to heal wounds, re-weave the torn fabric of their communities, and lead a nationwide reconciliation process. 

  • (L) Maku Albert, Radio Show Producer and Peace Mobiliser from Western Equatoria: {quote}South Sudanese should use our cultural diversity as a strength to bring peace, reconciliation and healing, to boost development and prosperity for all.{quote}(R) Rose Acindel Kacthiek, Women's Leader from Warrap: {quote}I want my country to be stable and to focus on the development of a sustainable future. My message to South Sudanese is to be committed to the peace process and forgiveness, to allow our next generation to have the freedom to enjoy their rights.{quote}
  • (L) Joseph Mayom Dut, Radio Presenter from Lakes State: “I want South Sudanese to stop killing each other.{quote}(R) Maliamungu Zacchaeus, Youth in Solidarity Co-founder from Eastern Equatoria State: {quote}After our independence, the government did not focus much on trauma healing. Changing our mind-set of killing, to one of living in love and harmony is the first step towards healing. May the hearts of those mourning bring us together in the process of healing and reconciliation.”
  • (L) Anyuom Deng Lual, Homemaker from Northern Bahr el Ghazal: {quote}I started changing myself, then I transferred the change to my community so that we can coexist in harmony and unity. Peace and reconciliation is like a fruitful tree, which requires all people to work together as ambassadors as peace to be able to pick the sweet fruits.{quote}(R) Ajing Chol Giir, Orphanage Centre Coordinator from Warrap: {quote}I want South Sudanese to embrace peace, observe human rights and work towards reconciliation. I want South Sudanese to change at the personal level and dedicate themselves to changing the future of our country.{quote}
  • (L) Dbaudiah Batah Yasoua, Reverend from Central Equatoria: {quote}I believe that South Sudanese should understand where we come from and where we are heading. We should stop war. Now is the time for development and the time for educating our war orphans.{quote}(R) Aru Nicholas Maan, CNHPR Youth Representative from Jonglei:  {quote}I run peace education programmes in schools through theatre arts, and show people that this process is for all South Sudanese, it is a national process. Let us journey together for peace and reconciliation.{quote}
  • (L) Lulu James Kenyi, Teacher and Pastor from Eastern Equatoria: {quote}Friends, if we want development in South Sudan let us embrace peace and forgiveness, healing and reconciliation, and then other things will be added.{quote}(R) Susan Philip Olal, Gender Education Inspector from Lakes State: {quote}My message for South Sudan is to stop discrimination and stop killing each other so that we can go ahead with development. I need peace and reconciliation for our people in South Sudan, so that our new nation can rise after independence. There is no need to fight again. We need unity amongst ourselves.{quote}
  • (L) Sidonia Abuk Kiir, Homemaker from Warrap State: {quote}I want to build peace and reconciliation in our community and also to encourage people forgive each other. I want South Sudan to be in peace and for us to love one another as brothers and sisters, to be called the people of God in our country.{quote}(R) Anna Dusman Joseph, Student from Central Equatoria: {quote}Let us stop corruption, discrimination and killing people. Let us easily forgive. Let us reconcile.”
  • (L) Seiba John Lembu, Church Youth Group Secretary from Western Equatoria: {quote}I wish for my community to reconcile with each other and learn the heart of forgiveness. As South Sudanese we should stop stereotyping, and we should heal from the violence of 15 December 2013 and focus on the development of the nation.{quote}(R) Ajang Stephen Mayen, Pastor from Jonglei: {quote}Our people are traumatised by the long civil war and tribal conflicts. I wish for all South Sudanese to accept the message of national healing, peace and reconciliation, to give a chance to development. As much as we know where we are coming from ethnically, we should not waste time on senseless wars.{quote}
  • (L) Mary Arop Majok, Midwife and Mother's Union Representative from Lakes State: {quote}I will work hard for peace and dialogues between our communities because I want South Sudan to stop fighting wars and start having peace and development.{quote}(R) Chol Mapuor Chomdit, Area Overseer from Lakes State: {quote}I urge all South Sudanese to come together as one body to work for peace, reconciliation and healing, for a better future for our people.{quote}
  • (L) Oleyo Rose, Student from Central Equatoria: {quote}We have to reconcile with each other, and heal our traumas starting on the family level. This is the only way we can bring peace to this land.{quote}(R) Chara Bol, Banking Attendant from Unity State: {quote}Let us unite as one and build our young and beautiful nation, South Sudan. Let us speak one language of peace, unity and reconciliation.{quote}
  • (L) Peter Uliech Galdino, Evangelist from Eastern Equatoria:  “I wish for all people of the Republic of South Sudan to forgive each other, live in peace and forget the past. We must focus on developing the nation and celebrate all of our diversity.{quote}(R) William Magok Khan, Pastor from Unity State: {quote}From civil war, to tribalism which opened South Sudan to war again is not good for the South Sudanese people. We need to talk to the people about peace and tell them to stop the war. {quote}
  • (L) Bishop Isaac Dhieu Ati, Theologian and Teacher from Lakes State: {quote} Let the people of South Sudan stop killing each other and turn away from our bad behaviours, towards ourselves. Let us forgive one another immediately without any delay.{quote}(R) James Sebit Friday, Pastor and Reconciliation Coordinator from Western Equatoria: {quote}We the people of South Sudan should learn to coexist in spite of the different tribes we come from. Our differences are a gift from God who created us this way, let us respect each other.{quote}
  • End of Life Services
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  • Multimedia Storytelling
    • When South Africa Became Home: Adonis Musati Project
    • SpeakUP: Young Women Share Stories of Identity, Gender and Violence
    • Setback of a Country: South Sudan's New War
    • The Spaces in Between
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