Rumbek, South Sudan. Sunday returned to his homeland last year as a volunteer for US AID as an information technology man. He and his folks could not believe that it is possible for a young man like him with a new future in Canada would one day end up serving his homeland in the process of reconstruction. It is a dream that Sunday has been nurturing for years that has come true.
He was a young adolescent of 12 when he left Rumbek in 1984, because of the war. He moved with his father to Khartoum as a refugee for about ten years. Then in 1993, he was admitted to Canada, his second home, as a refugee. He enrolled at the Western Ontario University in 1999 and graduated in 2004 with Political Science degree majoring in Policy Analysis.
After graduation he worked with Government in the Office of Migration as a Counselor. His life and natural sympathy for refugees make him almost tailored made for the job. But inside him, the desire to go back home with his people has always been alive. And this becomes stronger with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005.
He got his break when his application as an IT volunteer for the US AID Project in Rumbek was accepted in 2006. Thus he packed his bags and went back home to Rumbek – the land of his birth.
His kinfolk welcome him with great joy and pride. He no longer works as a US AID Volunteer, because he has since then got a regular job. He now works as the Education Field Coordinator for EU sponsored satellite schools in the Lake State with base in Rumbek, the State Capital.
He is very happy that he is contributing something towards the reconstruction of his homeland. Though there are not many young Sudanese professionals who have settled in the west do come back, he is happy to note that there are some like him who does. And people who opted to stay in their new adopted country, their love and ties with South Sudan do not die. In many ways, they also help and support for the reconstruction of South Sudan through their continued assistance to their kin and kith whose need for educational and health expenses continue to grow.
Sunday is happy to be home again with his folk and his friends… and they are happy to see him back!
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