In
Nyirol County, where the rainy season transforms the land into an unforgiving
expanse of mud and floodwaters, access to education becomes one of the greatest
challenges. Schools turn into isolated islands, forcing learners to battle
treacherous terrain just to attend class. But for Nyagoa Dak Lual, a Senior 3
student at Bariak Secondary School, these obstacles were just another challenge
to conquer.
Nyagoa, a child living with a
disability, faced more than harsh landscapes. The whispers and jeers of her
peers—who called her ngol, a Nuer term for someone with a leg
disability—could have broken her spirit. Yet she stood tall, refusing to let
cruelty define her.
Recognizing
her potential, Nile Hope intervened after assessing 50 learners, transporting
Nyagoa and her caretaker to Juba. There, she received a Tri Circle mobility device and training from Light for the World, a
MYRP consortium partner supporting children with disabilities. Armed with
confidence and tools, she returned home ready to keep learning—and thriving.
According
to the Disability Mapping/Audit report 2024, physical barriers
disproportionately frustrate girls from accessing education. Further, the
Contextualised out-of-school children catchment profile mapping in South Sudan
identified disability as one main reason for children being out of school
Nyagoa’s
brilliance defied expectations: she ranked among her class’s top performers,
proving ability transcends physical limits. Inspired by her resilience, Nile
Hope trained local teachers in inclusive education, slowly dismantling harmful
stereotypes.
Now, Nyagoa dreams of becoming a pharmacist. "I refused to let my disability define me," she said. "Education is my strength, and I’ll prove I can succeed like anyone else." Her community, once skeptical, now sees her as a beacon of change. "Nile Hope helped us realize we deserve the same opportunities," she added. "One day, I’ll give back to my people."
Countrywide,
learners in 45% of schools walk between 1-2 hours to reach school premises. Nyagoa’s
journey proves that determination, coupled with community support, can rewrite
futures—and that societal change begins with one unyielding voice. We look
forward to the day she walks into a pharmacy not as a client, but as a healer,
guiding her community toward a healthier future.
