The Day My Younger Brothers Were Wounded by a Bomb
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Step into the shoes of our incredible young women Scholars in South Sudan as they share their personal stories of an unforgettable day. From unfathomable heartbreak to profound joy, these authentic accounts offer a window into their lives and unwavering resilience. Join us on this powerful journey through their unforgettable days.
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These accounts are written in response to the essay prompt, “A day in your life you will never forget”.
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These stories were originally handwritten by the Scholars, and their names, the names of family members and places have been removed to safeguard the sensitivity of their accounts. The narratives have been transcribed and slightly revised by our staff for enhanced readability and comprehension.
I will never forget the day my younger brothers were playing outside our compound when they stumbled upon a mysterious metallic object. Intrigued, one of them picked it up, prompting the other to shout, “My dear brother, stay away from that; it’s dangerous!” My brother insisted he was merely playing, sparking a heated argument between the two.
Just then, our cousin intervened, suggesting they defuse the tension by tossing the object into a large hole near the compound. The first brother, however, was reluctant to part with it. In a swift motion, the other brother snatched the bomb from his hands and hurled it away. The moment the bomb landed, it exploded.
To make matters worse, the day was particularly windy when the incident occurred. The blast and the small metal pieces flew everywhere, injuring all of them terribly. The most wounded person among them was our cousin who had been trying to solve their argument.
All of them were taken to the hospital. In that hospital, the doctors were not well-trained nor sufficiently qualified to perform the necessary surgeries. Our poverty further complicated matters, as we were unable to seek out better-equipped hospitals with more competent medical staff. This predicament posed a significant challenge for our family and left a lasting impact.
It was a great challenge for my family. As my brothers underwent prolonged treatment, we witnessed them endure excruciating pain at such tender ages. The ordeal also disrupted their education, as the injuries to their legs and arms left them paralyzed.
The explosion made my family’s poverty worse. All the wealth was used for medical treatment. Because of that, we all had to drop out of school because we did not have money for school fees. However, a silver lining emerged when I excelled in my primary leaving examination and was awarded a scholarship from Mercy Beyond Borders. This was a moment of reprieve for my father, and I was profoundly grateful for this unexpected blessing.
Slowly my brothers were getting better, but they were still unable to walk to school or do other things that other children do, like playing soccer, but we thank God that they are alive.
Our family lives a simple life. There were times when we went without food for a day or even two. But through these challenges, our faith remained unwavering. I continue to focus on my studies with the hope of uplifting our family and extending a helping hand to other people who are suffering like us.
I am deeply thankful for the Mercy Beyond Borders scholarship, which has transformed my academic journey. Without Mercy Beyond Borders, I wouldn't be where I am today. I urge you to maintain this generous spirit so that future generations, like my younger sisters, can have this same chance. I am working very hard because hard work pays off and there is no way that I can succeed without working hard on my studies. I also recognize the importance of surrounding myself with positive influences to stay focused on my academic goals.
Thank you for your continued support. May God's blessings and grace be upon you all
Staff Update: Written during her second year of high school as a Mercy Beyond Borders Scholar, she is now majoring in Environmental Health on a full university scholarship from Mercy Beyond Borders.