Issac's Story
This story is part of the Water is Life campaign. Our supporters from around the world are joining together to bring clean water to roughly 7,000 people in a forgotten corner of the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Learn more and consider joining us after the story.
Issac was born in the village of Tabulla on the western edge of the oppressed Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Like many Sudanese children, he doesn’t know his exact birthday, just that he came into the world in 2009 during the last few years of a fragile ceasefire.
When the Sudanese government began waging another war against the Nuba people in 2011, Issac’s family was forced to flee their village, which was suddenly close to the frontlines. They returned a few years later when the tide shifted in favor of Nuba self-defense forces.
The daily search for clean water became the most dangerous part of life. Tabulla and nearby villages do not have a clean water source, which means people have to leave the safety of community to find whatever water they can.
When Issac was six years old, his mother went searching for water. She returned late that night with an empty jerry can, having spent most of the day hiding from government paramilitaries searching the area. He almost lost his mother that day.
Today, Issac is the one who goes out in search of dirty water. A ceasefire is in place, and the surrounding area is somewhat safer than it used to be. But a permanent peace agreement remains elusive. Occasionally, he finds himself avoiding the same paramilitaries who seem uninterested in peace, the same ones who almost claimed his mother’s life. “I am scared they will find me one day,” he said. “And my mother won’t know what happened to me.”
Life here is harder than it should be. Issac shouldn’t have to search for water. He should be in school, because clean water is accessible and free near home. He says “If we get this well that our leaders keep telling us about, my life will change. All our lives will change. So much will be better.”
Issac’s story is a reminder that building infrastructure for clean water to flow goes beyond ensuring basic health needs. Clean water is also about improving security. It’s about empowering women by putting time back into their day. And it’s about educating children by giving them the time to go to school.
Empowering local solutions like these is the best way to create lasting change in Sudan. Operation Broken Silence has been working in this region of the country since 2011. We’re taking on this project because we listened to the people living here, and because no one else will serve them. You can help by starting a fundraising campaign and asking friends and family to give, or by making a donation.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Make checks payable to Operation Broken Silence, write Water in the memo line, and mail to P.O. Box 770900 Memphis, TN 38177-0900
