Cooking for Peace

Drummers


SPLA Soldiers












Friday 16th Sept

Just an update on the family who were attacked by the hyena.

The little boy is now happy and smiling, playing with the other children. Before, he just had a terrified look on his face and would not let go of his father’s hand. He has not yet had a dressing change, as there is a fracture and torn ligaments and it is well splinted. Middle of next week, we will see how things are healing.

The mum is slowly improving. Most of the teeth marks on one arm have healed but her foot, hand and the other arm and hand have a long way to go.

The grandfather is struggling because of his weak state of health prior to this.

A make-shift pulley has been rigged up to keep his stump leg straight to help the double fracture heal. We have some sand bags attached to some string hanging over the end of the bed, fastened to a pin through his leg.

It may sound primitive when you think what fancy equipment there is in the big orthopaedic wards. BUT the principle is the same….traction!
There is something good about getting back to basics; it’s very easy to teach, too!

Well, the peace talks are well under way, but unfortunately the State governor did not come, only the deputy, but there are about 1000 extra people around the place and lots of soldiers. We had two helicopters bringing in the VIP’s and lots of trucks coming on the flooded tracks from Rumbek: many got bogged on the way.

So, it has been a mammoth effort to pull it all together. Lots of cows and goats have been slaughtered for the occasion.

We went for a walk to the High School where all the food was being prepared by the women. All on large open fires, with goats tethered nearby, waiting for the pot. The women had been brought by many different organisations to help.
It was good to see them all sitting together talking and laughing, all from different parts of South Sudan, getting on well. As women do when there is a job to be done, some singing some traditional songs.

After the first meeting held in the ‘Cathedral’ (which now has walls and a proper roof), there was lots of dancing drums and wrestling competitions.
Everyone seemed very happy and relaxed. They said they were dancing for peace.

More talks today, seem to be going very slowly, struggling to get to some agreement. Most of the unrest and fighting has been over cows, and where they can and can’t graze at different times of the year. Anyway, I just hope they can come to some arrangement to reduce the fighting.