Daniel is a hardworking man. While most people avoid stepping out under the burning sun, he chooses to work tirelessly on the land surrounding the physical rehabilitation centre supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Juba, South Sudan.
For more than two years now, Daniel's routine has revolved around this stretch of earth. He uproots weeds, plants fruits and vegetables and waters them faithfully every day.
The first time Daniel pushed through the ICRC centre's door was as a patient. A soldier then, an injury had changed the course of his life. Part of his left leg was amputated and he was fitted with a prosthetic limb and given physiotherapy. Though life was no longer what it used to be, Daniel refused to be stopped. Getting back on his feet, he participated in a project aimed at training former patients to grow vegetable gardens. The man who was once a soldier traded his rifle for a spade and soon became one of the most motivated trainees.
When the project ended, he volunteered to take care of the vast space surrounding the rehabilitation centre. Starting with one small patch of land, he has kept expanding month after month and makes no attempt to hide his ambition.
"I want to cultivate as much space as possible," he says. Most of what Daniel grows is sold among employees of the rehabilitation centre and the remaining produce makes its way to the local market.
But food isn't the only thing the gardener provides.
Other patients like him who have lost the use of one or more limbs join Daniel in the garden as part of a new project that allows them to volunteer and learn how to deal with their disability. Between sharing gardening tips, Daniel also talks about his life and what keeps him going.
While some stories and situations are more complicated than others, through Daniel's support those who were recently amputated are able to believe that their lives aren't over and they can continue to dream.
Daniel's hands.
Christine Lund, ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Programme Manager says, "Functional training is an important element of the rehabilitation process, physically as well as in terms of confidence building and motivation. Daniel is a strong role model for the other patients."
The ICRC gave Daniel the care and support he needed to resume as normal a life as possible. In turn, he strives to pass on these tools onto others, helping them build their resilience.
Newer articles:
- Saving South Sudan’s Peace Deal - 23/05/2019 22:28
- 6 kilometers for 2 gallons: Ozark students experience water conditions in South Sudan - 23/05/2019 12:30
- South Sudan leader urges opposition groups to genuinely implement peace deal - 23/05/2019 11:02
- From Greece and South Sudan to Sunshine Heights: At this club, it's not just about the cricket - 23/05/2019 06:23
- South Sudan launches first international gateway to boost telecom sector - 23/05/2019 02:34
Older news items
- Thieves use South Sudan number plates to steal cars, police say - 22/05/2019 23:41
- UNMISS supports South Sudan Human Rights Commission with refresher training - 22/05/2019 14:40
- Talks have stalled, and divisions are growing. Is Sudan’s post-Bashir honeymoon over? - 22/05/2019 10:53
- South Sudan marks army day peacefully despite threats of protests - 21/05/2019 22:13
- ‘I’ve killed so many people, I’ve lost count’: South Sudan’s child soldiers search for a life after war - 21/05/2019 17:09
Latest news items (all categories):
- Ramaphosa presses Kiir to implement peace deal ahead of South Sudan’s first elections - 09/10/2026 12:19
- South Sudan steps up Ebola alert after Kenya case - 09/10/2026 12:17
- Laotian man deported by U.S. to South Sudan leaves for Laos after year in detention - 09/10/2026 12:14
- Bullet and blast injuries … and a constant need for blood: inside South Sudan’s overwhelmed trauma wards - 09/10/2026 12:10
- MTN South Sudan and Regulator Pledge Cooperation to Expand Connectivity - 09/10/2026 12:01
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan pound rises after Qatari bank import deal - Reuters - 06/09/2012 18:40
- South Sudan minister commends Uganda for hosting refugees - 28/07/2018 12:06
- South Sudan pays part of its debt ahead of EAC November summit - 23/10/2019 08:12
- World Bank boosts South Sudan's road network with USD38 million - Afrique en Ligue - 22/05/2012 11:19
- South Sudan violence targeting healthcare says MSF - 26/02/2014 10:08
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 150840 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28206 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25313 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24539 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22502 times
