Just a few kilometres from the centre of South Sudan’s capital, Juba, lies Gondokoro Monenyit Island, where residents say they have long been without basic public services despite their proximity to the country’s administrative centre.
The island has no school or functioning health facility, forcing children to cross the River Nile each day in small wooden boats to attend classes in Juba. Pregnant women and other patients must also make the journey whenever they need medical treatment.
Residents told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the lack of essential services has left them vulnerable, particularly during medical emergencies.
“We have no hospital here,” said Angelina Bojo Martin, 29, a mother of one.
“If someone falls sick at night, there is nowhere to go. Sometimes we are forced to use private clinics, but they are expensive and not always open.”
Angelina said she travelled to Juba Teaching Hospital before labour became advanced when she gave birth to her daughter six months ago, fearing she might not be able to cross the river in time if contractions started during the night.
“The biggest challenge is for pregnant women,” she said. “If labour starts at night, getting to the hospital becomes very difficult.”
She said the island’s only primary healthcare unit had fallen into disrepair and no longer had medicines or medical staff.
She appealed to the national and state governments to establish a fully equipped health centre on the island.
The area’s sub-chief, Bensio Morbe, said education was another major concern, with children making the river crossing twice a day to attend school.
“Our children have to travel to Juba every morning for classes,” he said.
“When it rains, many cannot go because crossing the river becomes dangerous and the journey is too difficult.”
Located about 10 kilometres north-east of Juba, Gondokoro Monenyit Island is known for its natural scenery and riverside landscape. Local leaders believe it could become a tourist destination if infrastructure is improved.
Morbe urged the government and humanitarian organisations to invest in schools, healthcare and other basic services, saying residents had waited too long for development despite living close to the capital.
and then