By Nahum Osman, SJ

In the heart of Cueichok Payam, a rural village in South Sudan where the land is dry and life is uncertain, Deborah Awat Makur rises every morning with a sense of purpose. It wasn’t always this way.

A widow and a mother of eight, Deborah’s life was marked by hardship. Last year, her husband was murdered, which left her struggling to provide for her family.

Thankfully, Deborah found support from the Multi-Educational and Agricultural Jesuit Institute (MAJIS), which provides basic education and training in agriculture and animal husbandry. MAJIS is part of the Jesuit Eastern Africa Province’s Sowing Seeds Project, which Canadian Jesuits International supports.

Deborah recalled a time when crops depended solely on the rain, and all her family could eat were seasonal vegetables. Martha Nyacam Makur, who lives in Rumbek Centre, said that during the dry season her family used to survive on dry okra, pounded and cooked into a sauce.

Like many in their communities, they knew nothing about irrigation and sustainable farming techniques. After joining MAJIS, they learned how to grow vegetables such as sukuma (collard greens) and tomatoes, even in dry season. They received better seeds and learned how to make compost from groundnut leaves and cow dung to enrich the soil.

Deborah’s garden brought nourishment and income to her family. Last year, she earned two million South Sudanese pounds ($549Cdn) from her garden, enough to provide healthy meals for her children and send four of them to St. Peter Faber Primary School.

The impact has been the same for Martha, who has six children and is the breadwinner in her family.

Their journey is not without challenges. Despite her earnings, Deborash still is unable to send two of her children to school. Access to water remains an issue. “We suffer from chest pains from pumping the borehole and carrying watering cans,” she said.

Deborah and Martha are determined to keep going. The demand for vegetables is high in Rumbek, giving them a steady source of income. “I cannot imagine where I would be now, as a widow with eight children, without the support of MAJIS,” said Deborah.

The impact of MAJIS goes beyond agriculture. The Jesuits provide essential services including free medical treatment, and food assistance.

For Martha, the program has been an empowering experience. “It has encouraged me to be hardworking and strong. We have learned about the power and value of women. We have been taught how to overcome challenges we once thought were insurmountable.”

The stories of Deborah and Martha testify to the resilience of South Sudanese women and the transformative power of community-driven initiatives. Through hard work, support, and a vision for the future, they and many others are rewriting their destinies, one harvest at a time.

Nahum Osman is a Jesuit from Sudan. A newly-ordained deacon from the Eastern Africa Province, he is pursuing a Sacred Theology Program at Regis College in Toronto.