James Wani's Story

From South Sudan's Conflict Zones to a Beacon of Hope: Explore James Wani's inspiring journey of resilience, determination, and compassion. As a survivor of South Sudan's tumultuous history, he rises to symbolise hope and change in the face of adversity. Through trials and tribulations, James' remarkable voyage from hardship to achievement underscores the power of education, the unwavering pursuit of dreams, and the profound impact one can have on their community and beyond.

I am a South Sudanese migrant who has become an Australian citizen. My early years in South Sudan were marked by hardship and turmoil at the hands of the Sudan Armed Forces. Armed soldiers frequently raided our village, burning fields, stealing cattle, and abducting children, many of whom were enslaved in Northern Sudan. Government warplanes dropped bombs on our homes, hospitals, and schools, forcing my family and many others to flee to Uganda's Kitgum district in 1990.

Our journey to safety was treacherous, involving days of travel over landmines, through crocodile-infested rivers, and dense equatorial forests. After two months in Kitgum camp, we fell victim to an attack by Ugandan rebels known as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), resulting in casualties and abductions. In response, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) facilitated our transfer, along with other refugees, to Masindi district in Uganda.

Life in the refugee camp was exceedingly challenging. Clean water was scarce, a single grinding mill served over twelve thousand refugees, and there was no primary school. UNHCR provided food rations that often fell short of our needs, compelling us to work tirelessly to supplement our meals. We cultivated crops like corn, sorghum, and sesame in the midst of a relentless struggle for survival.

Despite the harsh conditions, I embarked on my primary education journey while in the refugee camp. We lacked proper classrooms, studying under trees until UNHCR constructed a primary school in 1994. These classrooms were crowded, filled with children of various ages all striving to learn. Hunger was a constant companion. Nevertheless, I managed to complete my primary education, securing scholarships from UNHCR that allowed me to progress to secondary school and eventually university.

In 1999, my cousin Denis and I applied to UNHCR for humanitarian settlement in Australia. Our application was granted in 2004, and we arrived in Perth, Australia, on February 10, 2005. In Australia, I continued my studies, earning a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Commerce, both from Curtin University of Technology.

I'm now also a fully qualified Secondary School Teacher and currently employed by Mazenod College in Perth. I am happily married and blessed with four young children. My fervent passion lies in education and its transformative potential for the next generation.

The timeless wisdom of Irish poet William Butler Yeats resonates deeply when he stated, 'Education is not just the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.' It reminds us that education is not merely about imparting reading and writing skills; it's a catalyst for profound social transformation, empowering the next generation to hold their government accountable for their rights.

Whenever I visit South Sudan, the words of Proverbs 16:16, 'How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!' echo in my mind. These words encapsulate the essence of my conversations with parents and community members in Sindiru Village who consistently emphasise the paramount importance of education for the children of Sindiru.

In a world where possessions can be fleeting, education stands as an unshakable foundation. The parents and community members in Sindiru Village sought wisdom and insight over material wealth, despite the daunting challenges they face. Education, for them, is an enduring beacon of hope!

In 2012, I took the initiative to establish the incorporated charity known today as Ausudan Inc. The primary objective was to raise funds for the construction of a school dedicated to the children of my village. However, our vision extends far beyond the school's initial construction. In the short term, we aim to secure teachers' salaries for the first four years of the Primary School, establish an outdoor kitchen, and implement essential infrastructure like solar panels, water tanks, and school fencing.

Looking ahead, our longer-term goals encompass the establishment of a Clinic/Healthcare Centre to address community health needs and the expansion of the school with the construction of additional classrooms for a Senior School, accompanied by boarding facilities for senior girls. For more detailed information on each of these goals, please explore the relevant sections on our website.

JAMES WANI