Mary fled with her children to escape violence in Sudan during the April 2023 conflict. In the panic, she was separated from her husband. Mary used to live in South Sudan, so she was returning home. But crossing the border, she faced a fight for her survival.

Help from our partner Christian Mercy International (CMI) saved Mary’s life.

Mary was one of 1,500 people crossing the border into South Sudan daily. CMI worked with local authorities to support women and children entering the country. With your generosity, Global Mission Partners could fund emergency support to many of the women.

“I thank God that the local authority connected us with Christian Mercy International,” Mary said.

Mary fled without anything to support her livelihood. “[I left] without anything in terms of property, such as household utensils, [for my home], and clothing for my children”. Her husband is still missing.

CMI gave Mary plastic sheets for temporary shelter, food, blankets and mosquito nets.

These items were a lifeline for Mary and her children.

Eventually, Mary was reconnected with the community which her family was originally from. The chief allocated her a small piece of land to farm. CMI continued assisting Mary this year by providing food support while she started farming.

Mary planted sorghum, groundnuts, okra, and pumpkin in March this year. Then, there was significant flooding. Luckily, her farm escaped the flooding, which helped her plants to grow. Paulino Malou, CMI Director, provided photographs of Mary’s sorghum field in September. It looked tall and plentiful.

  

Mary harvested her crops during October and November and plans to construct a permanent dwelling on the allocated land. “I will use this harvest to secure my construction,” she explains.

It has turned out well for Mary, but not everyone’s story has had such a peaceful ending.

CMI is assisting 80 women who have returned home to South Sudan to escape the violence.  Like Mary, they also received land for farming. Unfortunately, the recent floods affected 50 women’s farmlands. Their crops are destroyed, and the soil is damaged.

With your help, CMI can continue supporting the women while they re-establish their farms.

Mary is thankful for the love CMI shows to her and the other women, which has empowered them to establish new lives for themselves within a fragile country.

Mary appreciates “the support of basic needs” that enabled her to reach where she is today.

Christian Mercy International has managed three emergency response projects in recent years and has developed a positive relationship with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, which helps to manage emergencies.

With your support, CMI is well-placed to continue restoring God’s peace in one of the world’s most challenging places.

Help restore God’s peace this Christmas by supporting relief and development work in difficult places like South Sudan.

When you give to the COCOA Christmas Offering, you help our partners work in heart-breaking situations, restoring people’s lives through practical and effective development solutions.

And it’s truly good news for people like Mary!

Please make a tax-deductible donation before Christmas to continue relief and development work that restores peace for people like Mary. Look out for the giving envelopes at your church or give now.

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