The Indian peacekeepers at UNMISS have been lauded for going above and beyond their call of duty and helping t... Read More

UNITED NATIONS: Indian peacekeepers deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan are teaching women in the town of Malakal how to grow their own nutritious food, helping scintilla in them social and entrepreneurship skills.

Under the initiative taken by the Civil Affairs Division of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), about 70 women from Malakal and some of their peers staying at the UN protection site have come together and the Indian peacekeepers are teaching them how to grow their own food, according to a UN press release.

The Indian peacekeepers at UNMISS have been lauded for going above and beyond their call of duty and helping the residents in many towns in the country, gradually trying to return to normalcy after years of unrest.

Previously, Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan rehabilitated a long-neglected runway at the Malakal airport, providing essential infrastructure support to the area.

Nyaou Aroum, one of the participating women, said that if the women show seriousness at learning how to grow their food, then the NGOs can assist them with the seeds needed to plant in their gardens.

"I already have my own garden here, so I am asking that we join hands and work together," she said.

The women watch attentively as the Indian peacekeepers take them through the motions before letting them try on their own - from planting seeds to making composts.

The women work in a spirit of collective cooperation, that will help them in the future reintegration of different communities. Nearly 30,000 displaced persons still remain at the Malakal protection site, almost five years after the start of the country's armed conflict.

Civil affairs officer Yosef Damena believes that the inter-communal farming activity provides an opportunity for the women both to rebuild social fabrics and to foster skills in leadership and entrepreneurship.

"Social cohesion can be achieved through community-based development programmes such as these," she said. "Skills training is one of the ways the Mission is using to help build durable peace, and it prepares the people for their return and reintegration into their communities."

Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan Hillary Garang Deng, who joined in the training, expressed his optimism about the project having a significant impact in the revival of Malakal town.

"Women play a crucial role in the well-being of families and communities and they should be encouraged and taught how to cultivate land and other skills," he said.

At the end of the on-farm demonstration, participants were given a variety of seeds, including bottle gourd, chilli, coriander, mustard, beans, spinach, cucumber, better gourd and lady fingers, to enable them to start their own individual farm projects.

