John is an ex child soldier from Sudan who is mid-way through his medical training to become a doctor. GUA Africa stepped in when his former sponsor became unable to help him any longer, and a new sponsor was found just days before he was due to lose his place. This is his story:

“My mother died of cancer when I was 7 years old. My Father was a doctor and died fighting for the SPLA in 1989. Along with many other children I was taken to Ethiopia to be educated but in the process we were also trained as child soldiers. When the government of Ethiopia was overthrown we trekked back to Sudan. We had no food and could only feed on leaves and roots. Some got poisoned or had severe dysentery. We walked along the Nile hiding under trees and escaping bombs.

After the new government came to power the Sudanese refugees were recalled and as we trekked back to Ethiopia our area was assaulted. I remember running with a bible my Mother had given me which I was later robbed of during the night. I had one shirt and a pair of shorts which I later sold for a tin of maize. I ate about a handful a day and drank a little water and kept going. By that time I was 8 years old.

When we reached Ethiopia we were taken by the UNHCR to Fugnido refugee camp where I was able to start school. Since I was a child I wanted to do medicine like my father, because I have seen so many deaths that could have been prevented if there was a doctor around.”

After fearing he would have to abandon his medical studies, John now has another opportunity to fulfil his dream. He hopes that he will be able to repay his old friend Emmanuel Jal and his sponsor by becoming one of the first doctors at the new medical centre in Leer, Sudan.