Mingkaman-Awerial-Lakes State -Dio Nial Gai makes a living from selling tea at the busy and bustling Mingkaman town. Originally from Jonglei State, Nial was displaced by the 2013 war. She had to flee across the river to the neighboring Awerial-Mingkaman Lakes State to seek refuge. The journey was not easy. Along the way, she was shot in the arm and developed complications. She had to be taken to Bor and later to Juba, to treat these complications and her right arm had to be amputated to save her life. Having lost an arm made her already difficult life, much more complex. According to her, this incident also marked a turning point for her life.

“I lost my father in the war; lost an arm; but my mother is alive. Life has not been easy, but thank God I am alive” she said.

 Dio, the firstborn in a family of three is the sole breadwinner. A teacher by profession earned her SSP 10,000 about $ 9 a month, not even sufficient to feed her family. To top it, she had her paternal uncle’s children also dependent on her, making it even more difficult to make ends meet.

It is during that period that a golden opportunity knocked. Inter-Church Medical Assistance (IMA) with support from UNFPA and funding from ECHO announced a call to train women in different income-generating activities such as tailoring, saloon, bead making, and tea making at the Women Girls Friendly Space. Dio seized the opportunity and enrolled. Together with a group of  200 women and girls, she underwent one-year intensive training and graduated last year. IMA provided each group with start-up capital (constructed shelter, bought furniture, and all other necessary requirements for the business). At the women and girls friendly space, Dio said she got information and support, participated in activities, networked and strengthened relationships with her peers.

“When we got this money from UNFPA, we informed the community leaders of the IDPs and the host community how this support had come through our GBV Community Action Groups. Dio was selected to undergo the training, and she was very receptive,” says Tereza Achuei, Inter-Medical Church Aid-IMA Reproductive Health facility manager.

Now Dio makes SSP 2000 daily and saves up to 10,000 SSP weekly; much higher compared to what she earned from teaching. “I am happy to be part of this group. I am able to foot my bills, and support my extended family. Life is a lot better because when am with my fellow women in the tea shop, we discuss productive things. I thank UNFPA and IMA for this support” she said.

Despite losing an arm, Dio remains hopeful and confident while dealing with her clients.

‘In our tea shop, a cup of tea goes for SSP 150 unlike in other places where a cup goes for SSP 200, so people prefer to visit our shop. I advise other women not to sit around with folded hands but rather should get to work” she talks with a smile.

Inter-Medical Church Aid-IMA with support from UNFPA through the WGFS has been able to support over 200 women and girls in Awerial -Mingakaman with skills in tailoring, bead making, bedsheet knitting as well as tablecloths and tea shop and procured the requisite materials for these women groups through which they now earn a living. Thanks to the European Union Humanitarian Aid/ ECHO, these women are now able to pay school fees for their children and put food on the table for their families.