The Stakes in Juba: Reflections from Simon Goff
"Back in June I met a remarkable young man called Gabriel Majok, a Sudanese teenager who a few years ago had walked from his burning village through Northern Uganda with his ’auntie’ and sister. When he
was younger his parents had been killed at the hands of rebels and his own life almost cut short when his joy for running led him into the path of a landmine.
Today a surgeon in Gulu removed shrapnel from under his ear, and in his words he is ‘so happy’. He will be back in school in Kampala in a few weeks on his long quest to become a doctor. Meanwhile, back in the Sudan, his sister has restarted primary education and is getting married.
Gabriel is the gentlest, happiest and most loving person I have ever met. This I find hard to understand.
But his hope for the future is shared by many of the young people that I met in Northern Uganda. Their fervent desire is for the war to finally end, their plea for stability and a chance to rebuild their culture and society.
Last times peace talks failed it was devastating for kids like Gabriel.
We cannot let this happen again."
was younger his parents had been killed at the hands of rebels and his own life almost cut short when his joy for running led him into the path of a landmine.
Today a surgeon in Gulu removed shrapnel from under his ear, and in his words he is ‘so happy’. He will be back in school in Kampala in a few weeks on his long quest to become a doctor. Meanwhile, back in the Sudan, his sister has restarted primary education and is getting married.
Gabriel is the gentlest, happiest and most loving person I have ever met. This I find hard to understand.
But his hope for the future is shared by many of the young people that I met in Northern Uganda. Their fervent desire is for the war to finally end, their plea for stability and a chance to rebuild their culture and society.
Last times peace talks failed it was devastating for kids like Gabriel.
We cannot let this happen again."