Interview to Amadra Henry,

A History of resilience of a South Sudanese in Uganda.

Amadra Henry, a teacher at Boroli Primary School appreciates JRS for their support in his education over the years. JRS has accompanied him for all the years he has been a refugee in Uganda.

“On the 22 July 2016 my family and I fled from South Sudan and managed to foot for about 45km to the Ugandan boarder at Elegu.”

Amandra Henry, 35, came to Uganda when the conflict in South Sudan escalated. Henry, his wife and three children made the three day trek on foot, with constant disturbance from the government soldiers along the way.

“Our biggest challenge was that we were not able to carry our household property, and there were no means of transport available.” According to Henry, the safety of his family mattered the most.

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“My first weeks in Uganda were difficult because we did not have enough household materials, as our properties had remained behind. We didn’t have enough food to feed the family, didn’t have proper shelter. We had left literally everything behind.”

Henry expresses his appreciation for Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), who he says have accompanied him for years and seen his growth and progress. In 2006–2008, when Henry first fled to Uganda, he received a scholarship from JRS to undertake a GIII Certificate at Erepi Primary Teachers College in Moyo District and returned to South Sudan.

In 2010–2013, Henry again received a half sponsorship from JRS and attained a Diploma in primary education at Unyama National Teachers College, Gulu.

“JRS still continues to support me, at the moment I am undertaking a course in Youth Sports Facilitator under the Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL).”

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Henry, a teacher at Boroli Primary School in Boroli Settlement Adjumani District, is among the 89 primary teachers undertaking the Youth Sports Facilitator certified course under the Jesuit Worldwide Learning with funding from UNHCR.

Henry and his family were taken to Pagirinya, but due to his work, he currently resides in Boroli settlement, while his family reside in Adjumani town since the children are in school.

“I wish to go back home if there is total peace in the country. Here, there is inadequate food supply by UNHCR and there is no proper field or garden to carry out agricultural activities.” Henry says he misses South Sudan, but until the situation is stable, he will stay in Uganda.

His greatest desire is to go for further studies in either education or an upgrade with the sports education program and appeals to JRS for that support.