LocationsEmpowering Lives, Restoring Dignity: A Journey of Reconciliation and Healing at Mangateen IDP Camp
March 18, 2025
Elizabeth Nyagai (with the mixer) demonstrates soap making during a session with other ladies in her group.
In the heart of the Mangateen IDP camp, situated on the outskirts of Juba, a transformative project is inspiring hope and resilience among 33 women who have faced the harsh realities of communal conflict. Once displaced to the Mangateen camp after fleeing violence during the 2016 war and consequently tribal conflict at the UNMISS Protection of Civilian Camp in Juba, these women are now on a path to reclaiming their dignity through an innovative survivors’ support group initiative. Made possible with support from the UN Peacebuilding Fund and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and implemented by UNDP and Vision for Humanity, this project is making significant strides in transforming lives.
The program takes a holistic approach, focusing on equipping the women with not only livelihood and vocational skills, but also providing them with psychosocial support and trauma healing therapy. These therapeutic efforts are crucial, as they encourage women to heal from past traumas and build confidence and self-esteem to build their future. In turn, the participants extend their newfound knowledge to other members of the Mangateen camp, creating a ripple effect of healing and reconciliation.
“Before I joined the programme, I didn’t have confidence, and I felt discriminated against in the community. Through the programme, I feel appreciated through my abilities and not my disability. I have built my self-esteem - Many people come to me for advice and consultation.”
Elizabeth Nyagai – Survivor Support Group Member
Moreover, the women have gained valuable insights into transitional justice and basic human rights, which has greatly empowered them to advocate for their community within the framework of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA). By enhancing their understanding of these essential components outlined in Chapter 5 of the Peace Agreement, the project strengthens not only the survivors’ group but the entire community’s capacity for justice and reconciliation.
Though only three months in progress, the project has already achieved remarkable outcomes. The women, once marginalized and hopeless, have gained newfound respect and stature within their community. Their handcrafted goods—ranging from baskets to personal care products like shampoo, soaps, and moisturizers—are highly sought after, creating an accessible and affordable economy within the camp. This sustainable economic ecosystem not only provides the women with a means of livelihood but also enhances the overall well-being of Mangateen residents.
Key outcomes from the project include empowering survivors through livelihood skills as a form of alternative reparations for self-resilience, as well as conducting community outreach and advocacy on transitional justice mechanisms. These efforts facilitate understanding of crucial peacebuilding components, fostering a community prepared for long-term prosperity through reconciliation and healing.
The achievements of these women at the Mangateen IDP camp underscore the vital importance of initiatives that integrate reconciliation, healing, and livelihood empowerment. This project is a testament to the power of community-driven change and the potential for building a peaceful and prosperous future in South Sudan.
