Gentle Voices from S Sudan

Today we experienced an unexpected bonus – 100 women from S Sudan dancing and singing at the hotel all day long! The group comprises Sudanese exiles living here in Arua. They are of the Dinka tribe and are active in keeping their native culture alive. They were being filmed during the day for broadcast into S Sudan at some point. They are a very gentle people. Their moves are slow and graceful and their voices are soft and melodic. They literally sang and danced all day. We came and went during the day, and every time we returned they were still dancing! Given the difficulties that the people of S Sudan have experienced in these last years, their songs were both beautiful and moving. We were privileged to witness their performances, even if I did my “ugly American” bit and had to be asked not to film them!!

Below you see them in a camo type uniform, later they changed into traditional dress and finished with modern suits. Apparently they’ll be back tomorrow. I know they’ll sleep well!

Our day was more mundane but very valuable. In the morning we met with Samson and Neria Candiga. For those of you who have followed my reports across the years, you will remember that Samson was my first investment. He is a miller of rice and maize. When we met him he had a rice de-huller and produced about 500kg per year. Now he has the rice de-huller, as well as a maize de-husker and a maize mill to produce posho and this year he will process approximately 40 tons of product. All of this has taken place in 4 years. He has learnt a great deal along the way and is looking forward to being able to expand further. Today we talked through the business and the different seasons, and then he reflected on how hard it is to believe how far he has come in this time. He expressed his gratitude and said he had nothing to give us, but his life and the results of his work are all the thanks we need. Praise God!  By the way his company name is Nericandy Millers. Nericandy is an amalgamation of “nerica” (a local variety of rice, “Neria” (his wife’s name), “Candiga” his family name and “Andy”. In Africa names mean a great deal. I am honored. You can see Samson and Neria below.

In the afternoon we visited our friends at CAFECC. A Christian microfinance Organization, partnered with Peer Servants in Boston.  They are making steady progress toward sustainability, but it has taken a long time and great patience by the folks at Peer Servants. They served almost 500 clients with loans this year, and are working towards significantly adding more new clients next year.

Tonight we’ll call it quits early as we’re off to Yumbe tomorrow (2.5 hr drive) at 6:30am. Pray for traveling mercies!

Blessings