Before the civil war broke out in 1983, the Southern Sudan town of Yei was booming due to its proximity to the Ugandan and Congolese borders. However, more than 20 years of conflict have not helped the town's poorly developed infrastructure, trade and industry. Following the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, signs of recovery have been encouraging. The city is surrounded by lush farmlands and its location ensures that the business potential is immense. Still as you walk through the streets of Yei you notice children playing among the rusty military tanks that litter the roadsides, and you come across villagers with missing limbs, a stern reminder of the landmines that were laid during the war.
Cecilia Yabo Juma, 33, is one of them. Two years ago, she went outside the town to collect firewood for her family. Having recently returned from a refugee camp in Uganda, she was not aware of the landmine threat in the region. As she walked in a field, she stepped on a mine and lost her right leg and badly injured the other one in the explosion.
Ever since Cecilia's husband died during the war, she has had to look after her 3 children plus another four she had adopted from her late brother. She explains how her life changed after the accident: "I used travel a lot between Rumbek, Wau and Juba for trade, but suddenly all this stopped. I had to find new products that were much lighter and required less effort to handle". The Rapid Farmers Development Cooperative Centre is a community-based organization that was selected through the Victims Assistance project, funded first by the Japanese, then the Canadian governments. They have been helping Cecilia to start a small business and she now sells dried fish at the local market. The fish is imported from Lake Victoria in Uganda and is easy to transport. The demand is high in Yei, therefore the business is successful enough to help Cecilia cater to her family's needs.
Cecilia's commerce has given her a new confidence and much-needed autonomy. She is well respected in the community and the local chief often calls her to share her story with other people. As she demonstrates how one can face the most challenging times in life with a positive attitude, her example is an encouragement to many.
The work may be hard at times and the fish smells terrible, and recently Cecilia suffered the loss of her sister who was helping her earn some money for the family. Still Cecilia enjoys life in the market and likes to think about the future. "Maybe one day when I get more money I will change my business", she says. "Maybe I'll try to sell soap".
