Ms. Tiep lives and works in Omugo II, an extension of Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, which is dwelling to 43,000 refugees from South Sudan.
After receiving counselling from the Highlight Initiative, a UN-EU partnership, she turned a volunteer psychosocial help assistant with an NGO in Uganda, serving to different girls and youngsters depart and get well from violent conditions.
“Two issues led me to flee South Sudan: the struggle and my abusive husband. I used to be residing in Yei, South Sudan, working for a corporation that dealt with circumstances of violence towards girls.
Life was nice, I had cash and a spot to remain. I used to be even capable of purchase a automotive from my earnings. Nevertheless, I now know that even in case you have sources, in case you have stress in your thoughts, you possibly can go mad.
My husband used to beat me. He was a soldier and would threaten to shoot me. Typically, I might sleep within the bush. He felt that the youngsters favoured me, and he would get offended about that, however kids know love and that’s why they favoured me. I made a decision to depart him.
I fled in August 2017 and arrived in Uganda 4 days later, after a painful journey with my 5 kids. I used to be unable to hold meals; as a result of the youngsters had been so younger, I needed to carry them. We walked utilizing facet roads as a result of driving on the primary street would get us killed by the rebels. The rebels needed to seize me as their spouse as they knew I had cash.
As soon as we reached the border, we had been met by the UN who helped switch us to the settlement
Eva Sibanda/ UN Ladies
Rose Mary Tiep a beneficiary of a UN-backed help programme, in Omugo II Refugee Settlement, Uganda.
Adjusting to a brand new life and challenges
After I first arrived at Omugu II, I needed to die. I used to be lonely, I might isolate myself and pity myself. In South Sudan, I used to be doing nicely.
As refugees, we expertise discrimination. Typically, the host neighborhood will declare the land as theirs. [Within the settlement, every refugee household is allocated some land to plant food.] Even when they harass you, you’re not allowed to reply to them, or they react violently. The host neighborhood are resentful that we’re utilizing their land, however this isn’t their land, that is God’s land. The host neighborhood speaks Lugbara, so we can’t talk.
Psychosocial counselling periods [with TPO Uganda, an implementing partner of UN Women] helped me lots. I can help my kids now. Due to the psychosocial help I acquired, I used to be capable of be a greater mom.
Even when the counselling periods ended, I mobilized teams of ladies and we might maintain discussions. I transferred the data I gained to the neighborhood – I continued the work that I left behind in South Sudan. I selected to enrol as a Volunteer Psychosocial Assistant (VPA) with TPO Uganda.
With the boldness I’ve gained, I now assist households that have violence and I make referrals to companions, police and to childcare, if the case requires it.
Paying it ahead
We give psychosocial help to kids who’ve misplaced their mother and father and I learnt tips on how to establish circumstances of gender-based violence. I normally pose inquiries to the ladies, utilizing my very own life expertise for instance.
The volunteer coaching modified me, and I’m now acknowledged in the neighborhood. I’ve modified the lives of neighborhood members who’ve skilled violence and I used to be enrolled as a girls’s consultant within the Omugo neighborhood. I really feel assured and cozy in my work.
I want that my kids may have grown up elsewhere, and never in a settlement. I need to ensure that they be taught, go to highschool and get jobs. In the future I will likely be previous, I need to put together them for the long run.”
