In the heart of Minkaman, a small village nestled along the banks of the River Nile in South Sudan’s Lakes State, hope often seems elusive. For the past two months, devastating floods have engulfed the region, leaving thousands of families in peril. But amidst the floodwaters, Maria, a 28-year-old peer counsellor, has become a community hero, standing resilient in her mission to restore healing and hope. Maria’s mission is simple but essential to educate, support, advocate for change and em- power her community during challenging times.
Maria’s life has always been intertwined with her community, but now, as floodwaters rise and the village is submerged in crisis, her role has taken on profound importance. Her work goes far beyond sharing knowledge. She has become a bridge be- tween the community and humanitarian partners educating, advocating, and empowering those who have been stripped of nearly everything.
We lost our homes, our crops, but not our will to fight,”
Maria says, her voice filled with quiet determination.
I can’t stand by and watch my people struggle without doing something. I’m part of this community. Their challenges are my challenges too.”
She further explains.
As a trained peer counsellor working with the National Empowerment of Positive Women Unit- ed (NEPWU), Maria works closely with other lo- cal health workers and community leaders. She reaches out to the most vulnerable the Key Populations (KPs) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in areas often overlooked by traditional aid. She travels tirelessly through the muddy, waterlogged paths to deliver HIV prevention messages and provide psychosocial support. These journeys, while physically gruelling, are also deep- ly personal for Maria, whose heart is anchored in her community’s well-being. Her impact is also not lost on those around her.
Peer educators like Maria are invaluable in di- saster-stricken areas, they are trusted by the KPs, they understand the local dynamics, and they can communicate essential health information in ways that outsiders often can’t.”
said Mr. Paul, a health official working alongside her in Minkaman.
Despite the challenges—floods, disease out- breaks, and the harsh realities of life in a remote, neglected village, Maria’s work as a peer educa- tor has made an indelible mark on her community. Her tireless efforts have not only helped reduce the spread of HIV by providing critical information on prevention; she is also fostering a sense of uni- ty, resilience, and hope in a place where despair has become all too common.
As floodwaters slowly recede and the village be- gins the long process of rebuilding, Maria’s work shines brighter. She is a reminder that in times of disaster, it is often the people from within the ones who know the pain and the land who bring about the deepest change. Her story embodies the power of grassroots action in the face of over- whelming adversity.
Being a peer educator isn’t just a job,” Maria reflects. “It’s a responsibility to the specific community I serve, to ensure that we can survive and rebuild, no matter what challenges come our way.” She adds.
With the support of the Global fund through UNF- PA, NEPWU continues to reach out to sex workers and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with HIV prevention services in Minkaman County, ensur- ing that no one is left behind in the fight for survival and recovery. Maria’s journey is just one story in a community of quiet heroes, but it is one that best demonstrates the strength that can emerge from the most unexpected places.
