SUDAN: Ajal Kaba, "My hope is for education and a better life after the referendum"

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

JUBA, 17 January 2011 (IRIN) - The optimism sweeping through Southern Sudan over the just-concluded referendum to determine the country's political destiny has infused hope in 15-year-old street child Ajal Kaba, who hopes life will take a turn for the better should the country vote to secede. Kaba spoke to IRIN about his aspirations: "Originally, I am from Kapaweti area, near the border with Kenya. My parents lost all their livestock in the civil war [between Northern and Southern Sudan] and could no longer manage to feed us. That is why I came to Juba, where at least I get some food from the Somalis who live in the city. "We [street children] suffer a lot on these streets. The wound you see on my face is a result of being beaten by mujrims [gangsters] who wanted to grab something I had. "I am often with other street children; we are a mixed group, some of us lost their parents during the struggle [the longest African civil war running from 1956 to 2005 between the Sudan People's Liberation Army and the national army of Sudan] while some of us ran away from their parents. "I have been in Juba for a while now and I hope things will change after the referendum; I hope that the future government of Southern Sudan will give us a better life and an education. "I am grateful to the people who give me food sometimes; at least I know they are very nice people. "I hope my life will change for the better after the referendum." maj/js/mw © IRIN. All rights reserved. More humanitarian news and analysis: http://www.IRINnews.org