In South Sudan, ten MAF flights brought dozens of patients to hospital for fistula surgery. We talk with Nyanut, who flew with MAF from Kuajok to the nation’s capital, Juba.
Story by Jenny Davies
Nyanut has a big smile and the traditional markings that give her status and beauty in her culture.
“I received the markings when I was a girl, before I was married,” Nyanut said. “When you have these markings, people think you are more beautiful. They will pay more cows for your dowry.
“It doesn’t hurt when they do the markings,” she laughs, demonstrating the courage in the face of pain which is praised in South Sudanese culture.
Nyanut arrived in Juba for fistula surgery a few days ago.
“They told us in the village that we would come to Juba in a plane. The flight was okay, because I managed not to vomit!” she laughs.
“From the plane, I was too scared to look down at the ground. I only looked at the clouds and the sky – and only looked when we were going up and coming down.”
This is the first time Nyanut is having surgery to fix the fistula that resulted from the delivery of twins, where only one of the babies survived.
“I already gave birth to four children before this – two of which died,” she says.
“I delivered the first baby okay, but there were difficulties delivering the second baby. They transferred me from the village to the local hospital. They weren’t able to deliver the baby, so I was transferred again to the main hospital in the town, where I was operated on to remove the baby who had already died.”
The result of Nyanut’s fistula repair surgery is more hopeful and thankfully she is recovering well on the post-operative ward at Reconciliation Hospital in Juba.
“I am in pain but hopeful that things will get better,” she bravely laughs.
Nyanut is looking forward to returning to her home and children, and the gentle rhythm of village life.
“I’m a farmer. I grow sorghum and ground nuts in my garden, and I look after cows, goats and chickens.
“I have not been able to conceive another baby since that time, six years ago. My firstborn is now 17 years old, and I am happy with the children I already have. My son and daughter are in school and growing up,” she adds proudly.
Nyanut’s village is far from the nearest town. She measures the distance in the time it takes to walk.
It is better to fly with MAF than to go in the car because sometimes the road is not good. It would take 3 days by road. Going by plane is okay,” she says.
“I am from the village of Alek in Gorial. It is far from Kwajok. When you are footing, you sleep on the road. It takes more than one day. If you come on a boda boda (motorcycle), you will arrive in the afternoon,” she explains.
Nyanut is grateful that she will again be spared the long bumpy journey from Juba to Kuajok.
“It is better to fly with MAF than to go in the car because sometimes the road is not good. It would take 3 days by road. Going by plane is okay,” she says.
“When I return to the community, I’m looking forward to going to church for prayers, like I have been doing here, and socialising with the other ladies in the community. I will go back to my everyday activities, farming.
“Things will just be easier without this problem!”
