* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The conflict in Sudan has devastated the lives of millions, having a particularly grave impact on children. Our partners at the Lutheran World Federation describe how using the EU Children of Peace programme funds, they provide access to education to refugees in neighbouring South Sudan - not only academic but also about survival in a conflict zone.
It has been almost three years since 17 year-old Walid Awad Majir and his two brothers settled in neighbouring South Sudan, fleeing conflict at home in South Kordofan, Sudan.
He recalls the date—30 December 2011—when military planes bombed Koda village in Iban county, killing three family members—“our mother, father and a baby sister.’’ Majir and his younger brother Mowe were at school and Kur, 21, was also not at home during the attack.
With support from relatives and neighbours, the siblings left home on 1 January 2012 and headed towards Yida refugee camp in South Sudan’s Unity State. Majir recalls the pain of losing their parents and sibling, coupled with the challenging journey to safety.
‘’It took us a total of 17 days to be able to reach Yida camp. We had to hide for a number of days. We were fired at and passed many villages that were being bombed. It was the most difficult period of my life,’’ he says.
