Yesterday we flew to Yambio – my favourite place to date – and interviewed the Governor, Jemma Nunu Kumba (the first and only female Governor in Southern Sudan, and the whole of Sudan). A marching band and 100 armed guards ‘received’ her on the tarmac. Jemma is a very intelligent, kind and passionate woman. I have a lot of respect for her and what she’s doing here. I hope her plea for international help doesn’t fall on deaf ears.

After the interview, we visited a school. Whenever I spend time with the children here, I’m more driven to help.

Yambio, Sudan - Children at school

Yambio, Sudan - Tree school Yambio, Sudan - Tree school Yambio, Sudan - Classroom for 50+ students Yambio, Sudan - Hosptial, baby injured from falling off the back of a bike
Rumbek, Sudan - The women welcoming and 'announcing' us Rumbek, Sudan - Women on street Rumbek, Sudan - Children at school Rumbek, Sudan - Toddler at school

We then flew to Rumbek… It didn’t start well. As we exited the plane, I started taking photos. All of a sudden a man was yelling at me angrily from the tower. Then a group of men came over and one man got in my face telling me not to take photos. Rumbek – not my favourite place to date! The Governor wasn’t there in the end and no one really wanted to have a bar of us. Plus the men just stared and stared and STARED – I’m getting used to this – apparently it’s the blonde hair which is a real novelty here. Whatever. Goal #1: NOT to get kidnapped and made a sex slave in Sudan – tick!

Today we plan to video/photograph Juba. Over the past 3 days we’ve been accompanied by an armed guard (feeling v.safe) and SPLM representative the entire time. And today won’t be any different. Guns, guns and more guns – something else I’m also getting used to unfortunately.

♥ Jen xo xo