A mother’s story: Finding oneself, healing, and recovery through mother-to-mother support

Munuki Payam is a neighbourhood in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The area often faces heavy rains that lead to flooding. These floods make it challenging for families to move around and even harder for children to stay safe. Many women and children experience violence, forced marriages, and health issues due to the flooding. Josephine, a 27-year-old mother of three—two boys and one girl—is one of the single mothers who knows this struggle well.

Josephine grew up dreaming of being a civil engineer, but her dreams faded when her mother could not afford school fees. "I had to stop going to school in senior one," she recalls sadly. To make things better, she hoped to find a husband who could help her fulfill her dreams. At first, Josephine's husband provided everything she needed. They had one son together, but when she became pregnant with twins, everything changed. 

"When my husband found out I was pregnant with twins, he left me in 2022. I have been struggling alone since," Josephine explains. Suddenly, all the responsibilities fell on Josephine’s shoulders. Her husband took their firstborn, leaving her to care for her two newborns, Sabrina and Sabrine, alone. 

"I was not able to provide food, pay their medical bill, or even buy clothes for my children. I did not have the money. My son, Sabrina, was critically ill, too light, with his legs too weak. I was overwhelmed with stress and unsure of how to proceed" 

Josephine even considered begging on the streets to feed her family, she says. She kept her family afloat by washing clothes for others. "Sometimes there were no clothes to wash, which made it difficult to buy food and medication when my children were sick," she recalls. The stress started to overwhelm Josephine, leading to feelings of distress

Everything began to change when World Vision started a project called Joining Forces for Food Security and Child Protection in Emergencies Phase II (JF-FS & CPiE) that entered Josephine’s life. Social workers and nutrition assistants conducted a workshop for 15 mothers of the Mother-to-Mother Support Group on nutrition and breastfeeding for mothers affected by the floods and conflict in Munuki. The training aimed at equipping mothers-to-mother support group with knowledge to raise awareness about infant and young child nutrition (IYCN) for children ages 0–5 years, Screen children for malnutrition and refer them to the nearby health facilities and raise awareness to mothers and caregivers about balance diet.

Josephine attended the training, and that was when she was identified and enrolled in case management. With support from the project, Josephine was referred to take her son, Sabrina, to the Usratuna Rehabilitation Centre for treatment of acute malnutrition. World Vision provided her with crucial supplies like mattresses, mosquito nets, clothes, and hygiene items. Josephine was also enrolled in a program called Mother-to-Mother Support Group, where she and many mothers, learned how to help other mothers in her community to nurture healthier and happy children. 

Reflecting on her journey, Josephine says, "Before the counseling, I was bitter. I could beat my children, blaming them for my suffering. But after the training and receiving support, I now see my children as a blessing, not a source of suffering." Today, little Sabrina is healthy, and they can play football together with his mother.

Despite her hope, Josephine accepts that many young women still struggle alone. "There are very many young women who are facing the same issues I went through, and there is nobody to support them," she says. She hopes for vocational training and startup capital to help single mothers build small businesses. "We need help to learn new skills so we can support our families," she pleads. 

Josephine’s story shows the incredible difference that support can make in the lives of families in Juba South Sudan. With hope and community, she and her children can look forward to brighter days ahead.

Story by Tumalu Eunice, Social Worker | Photos by Moses Sakondo, Communications Officer