A need for Aweil Youths Global Body

Kuot Kuot · Major Contributor

A need for Aweil Youths Global Body

Atong Wek · Beginner Contributor

Dear Kout,

First of all this idea needs a lot of amendments before becoming workable. The following issues need to be addressed

At what age limit would these youths have to be?
The issue of unity is another factor because most youths under the age of 30 are not concerned about politics and here in the U.K most youths rarely meet let alone to discuss politics. I basically think that these issues need to be addressed before deciding on how to form the global body. And if the idea was to work then it would surely benefit a lot of youths everywhere in the world.

Thanks

Miss Atong Wek.

-- Edited by Atong Wek at 15:22, 2004-12-20

Deng Santo · Beginner Contributor

Dear brothers and sisters of Mading Aweil,

Greetings to all of you, I have been absent on the board for all these times because I was extremely busy. I don't know how to express how proud I am of you, all of you are awesome. I am proud how you discuss hot topics, you have really shown great sense of intellectual growth. I also would like to thank brother Ateny Wek Ateny for his committment to help whenever he sees it appropriate, I congratulate him for his brillian answers he gave under the topic that I posted concerning the lack of wowen in the history of Mading Aweil. Ateny Wekdit, I am proud of you my brother, you are my hero.

Back to the great topic of the day, "Need for Aweil youths global body". What a fantastic idea? Dear sons and daughters of Mading Aweil, our land is surely on the raise. We should know that from now on, we are not longer stooges as people think of us. We Aweil Youths are very capable to form such a body. I know there are a lot of political differences among us, but we only disagree on matters concerning politics of south Sudan, but we can not disagree a lot on our local politics. This thing is possible we only need to accept that it is possible. This thing can help us in many ways. Now we are very disorganized, but why should we be disorganized when we have our brains to use in making things good for ourselves and our community? I strongly like the idea. I recomment that we all give it a hard thinking.

Dear Atong Wek,

You made a good point my dear sister, we first need to have unity among us to be able to make such important issues work. I just want to answer your question that demands the age limit of a youth. I don't know the exact answer but what I think is that, a youth is someone between the age of 12 and 45. That is what I heard from many people. I hope others will tell us who they think is a youth. Dear Mading Aweil youth, you have an opportunity to show to the south Sudan that you not foolish majority but thinking majority. Already your discussions here are liked by a lot of people. My friends who are not from Aweil now tell me that Mading Aweil is a land to be respected. Thank you all. I will be with you soon.

Aweilism is my starting point.

mayikaher · Major Contributor

Dear Aweil youths,

Are we truely concerned about Madingaweil extreme suffering and inadequacy of basic needs? Do we have capacity to bring hope back home and recover the originality of Aweil strength? If we do, then, we need to be thinking people and come up with incredibly magic ideas that might sound unrealistically impratical perhaps but would work hopefully if we put them in practice. What sounds impossible for us here is extremely possible for others who are at the other parts of the world. Making your endeavors possible depend largely on changing your attitude.

The biggest concern for forming "Aweil youth global body" is essentially a political and social move in the history of Madingaweil. It potentially has a lot of benefits that might not be seen right now but with time they would be palpable and tangible, and moreover, they would be beneficial and helpful to the devastated community of Aweil. Further, Aweil's speedy recovery requires us to pour in energies from multidimension aspects. This body would help youths worldwide to explore opportunities of interacting with their fellow Aweil youths so that they could build and establish a friendly environment in Aweil area as well as outside Aweil. This interaction would also create a strong political awareness amongst youths.

Ladies and gentlemen, time has come, though we don't realize still, to take responsibilities or obligations without being made aware of them; we ought to form a collaborative body that would give a new energy and charge to Aweil leadership, political, social, and economic issues. We need to take it as a challenge from this moment on to strongly unite and make every Aweil son and daughter a vital part of this combat against crisis that are disabling our efforts. Aweil people, given the physical size of the area and the immense population, we deserve better opportunities and progressive movement in all aspects of development and success. However, this will come only if we realize the importance of working together as a group and futher if we understand the needs of our community back home. It would be an excellent instrument to help those vulnerable people to be on their own feet. Showing willingness and enthusiaism in the formation and creation of this potentially strong body would also be a better strategy to combat illiteracy in Aweil area. For instance, it would be the responsibility of this body, if accepted, formed and supported by Aweil youths, to find qualified teachers in the future for a few schools that we might have in the region. The body would work hand in hand with the "Aweil District Board of Education" to find better ways of teaching methodologies and new modern ways of teaching students newly updating materials or resources, especially things that are relevant to modern/current eonomic and social needs, this would body would also teachers advanced training to improve their teaching skills so that the pupils get better education. This body would also try to find some external scholarship programs through donors and other organizations for certain students to have opportunity to study abroad and this too would be done with the help of the leadership back home.

Moreover, the body would work with leadership back in some areas of development and improvement in Aweil, for instance, this phase of development or reconstruction require some new skills and better strategies to improve and establish sound agriculture policies, to make people aware of their environment [water, soil, air, animals, vegetation] and how to protect it, to improve political skills of the people, to improve quality of water for both irrigation and drinking, to improve leadership skills in various schools and community basis, to establish adult education programs, to create and consolidate unity and peace in various parts of Madingaweil. It might sound extremely impossible if not impracticable but not let me assure that aeroplanes are flying in the sky today because the makers were optimistic in constructing such sophisticated machines. They thought of it and they concluded that it was possible and therefore they eventually produced them, and now every one of us thinks it is possible to make them because we have skill to produce them.

Another important area that would require some attention of this body would be to get tirlelessly involved in external issues to bring a durable unity, peace, and tranquillity between Aweil and her neighboring communities for instance, Gogrial, Rumbek, Yirol, Aliab, Rajah, Uppernile, and Equatoria. It is an undeniably true that Aweil progress and prosperity require a friendly neighborhood where the peace and unity will be freely flowing like a "monsoon wind." Building this durable and helpful relation is fundamentally important because development and reconstruction require somebody to have true allies or friends as backup during a difficult time. Aweil community can't stand alone without people behind them. They [Aweil people] have to have a symbiotic relation with their neighbors for solidarity and interdependence. Therefore, I believe Aweil youths, since they show a tremendous interest in politics, are the ones that could possibly create this relational environment for better futures of Aweil people.

To conclude it, let's change our attitude and be optimistic to make better changes which would bring hope back to that community. Aweil is resilient and it is a matter of realizing that factual reality then we move forward with a progressive motion. I know it is difficult to fathom how this global could be formed and worked effectively to achieve its objectives. However, let's not forget that people are everything. You say "NO" it won't work, it won't work. You say "YES" it will work, it will work.

Deng Santo,

Thanks for your compliment.

Peace

Thanks,

Garang Aher

Aluel Wek · Beginner Contributor

Hi Kuot,

Your proposal is a grand idea and I really hopes it happens some time in the near future. However, I find myself in a position where I am 100% in agreement with my younger sister, Atong. This suggestion would have made sense under different circumstances. Firstly there is the issue of generation gap (12-45?) but the main talking point is that Southerners have issues when it comes to age. People's ages seem to be in reverse gear. Someone born in the late 70's or early 80's can be found to claim to be a teenager. How will that be resolved? If it can't be, then technically, the people who'll make up the bulk of 'Youth' body are of the same calibre as those currently on board. So the question is do you want to have more of the same, or make the best of what we have?

Cheers

Aluel

Kuot Kuot · Major Contributor

Dear friends,

Thank you all your replies, I hope many more will throw in their thought whether they are for or against the idea.

Tong and Aluel,

Thank you for your great question (s). I don't actually have a specific answer to your question (s). But what I do know is that, there is no universal definition of the word "youth". The meaning of the word "youth" therefore varies across cultures, communities, nations etc. It also depends on the context upon which the proponents are using it in. For instance, back in 2001 (while I was still in Kenya), we founded Aweil youths’ organization named: Aweil Youth on Move with Unity (AYOMU). We then sat down to write a constitution for our newly founded organization. One of difficult tasks we tackle was the question: "who would constitute youth". Our aim by then was to be as inclusive as possible. We debated among ourselves and made consultations with so many people including elders, politicians, and some intellectuals both from within Mading Aweil and outside its (Aweil’s) boundaries. Based on our debate and findings resulting from our consultations, we unanimously agreed to define "youth" or anyone who would have membership in our youth organization-AYOMU (in our context) "as anyone between the ages of 18-45." That is the age bracket we finally entered into AYOMU's constitution (I still have a copy of that constitution with me).

Based on the above example, I would still think that our aim here, should this idea materialized, is to be as inclusive (just as in the past) as possible. Again, this would require a team to debate over it (just as we did in 2001). Some of my colleagues who were part of the team that wrote the AYOMU’s constitution are members of this board and include Dhor Aher, Garang Pioth (former chairman of AYOMU) and Dut According. They can also give their views on your question based on our debate in 2001.

I would also like us to note that, this idea is not politically motivated, there is nothing political about. It is just an idea meant to purely organized our youths so that they would be able to do their activities better. It is an idea that would still happen even if it were to fail now. Other communities will equally do the same. Everyone likes to be organized and that is all we are talking about here. So let now make a mistake of linking this idea with our political views. Thank you all.

Kuot Kuot.

Ateny Wek · Beginner Contributor

Dear Deng Santo,

Thank you for your compliments. However, your complements had given me a full courage – had therefore felt that every time I spent in trying to give explanations to some of the ambiguity in our history, is worth spending time for. Heroism is what the people lives to obtain, nevertheless, even if no ones shares you in your compliments to the job I had spent time on it, to ensure it is up-to-standard – my response is that, I am also proud of you Deng Santo. Not anyone that recognises the good job done by other people. Kuot Kuot on building this website was rather condemned by some people for dividing Aweil people, because he should have remained in Aweil@topica.com or follow those who think they are the guardians of Aweil people – Is this not a human tragedy?. However, few like you (Deng) went on and applauded Kuot Kuot for the job well-done. Both Aher’s sons Garang and Dhor are instrumental in making this website a place worth participations. There are other brilliants Aweil sons/daughters who had helped indirectly and the list is long to fit here. That is why it is always appropriate for the one who invents to get support. Aweil had a very good history, and with support of people like you (Deng Santo) I would be there to spent my time for.

Coming back to the topic in hand, I must applaud Garang Kuot for having come-up with the idea of forming “Aweil Youths Global Body”. However, as the name sound nice and minds-relieving, it had its own weakness. First, the question asked by Miss.Atong Wek as to what age limit shall a youth be, and the answer you have provided as somewhat ranging between 12-45 yrs. I must try to give my own view on this matter as appropriate. In fact it is a universal belief that youth is someone aging between teenage to 45 yrs old, however, as cultures are not the same in the globe, I must admit this may not be the case. In Dinka youth is someone below the age of marriage or not yet married – on marriage ones qualifies to be a member of the elders council, depending on how mature he/she may be. Those who are straight forward in their response to a given situation, automatically takes a fronts seats with as old as their fathers age mates etc. To take this scenario and apply here, it is adviced that the age of youth, shall not be generously extended to exceed thirties, unless those who have approached their early forties remains unmarried. Given the responsibilities attached to being father or mother, it is difficult for a married persons to take vital role in the youths council. Some may risk taking such roles, but that may not meet the standard required. Arab Great unity in 18 century fails because the callers of that unity, the Egyptian Viceroy Mohammed Ali, and his son Ibrahim were Albanians in nationality, albeit they were ruling Egypt that time. Likewise, it is difficult for the father/ mother to take active role in the youth body. For examples, myself although I am in my early forties and can qualify to be youth, as far as the youth age is concern. However, as in the youth body there shall be my daughters/sons like Miss Aluel Wek and Miss Atong Wek, it is difficult for me to be in the same body with them, as far as the Dinka tradition is concerns. So, my role in such a body shall be advisory, if it is needed.

The second problem that may deter the great idea of the Youths Global Body, is the finances. As the body is too huge to manage, it is unlikely for every one to think his/her contributions of money will be handle properly. As, someone who held many posts in our Aweil communities abroad, the greater obstacles is how to finance the activities requires by the community at given time. So, it is from the point of experience I am saying this. Again, there is politics, be it past or present. I am not suggesting the youths have to sit down and do nothing, rather, I am pointing this out for them to rise above it. As youths nowadays are not only unsecured of the fact that they are scattered by the 22 yrs old war in the Sudan that had further widen the gap between the various ways of lives, they are mindful of their political affiliations. The youth who were born or went to refugee camps or other war zones when they were just under 10 yrs old, have different thinking to those who remains with their parents, either in the government controlled towns of South Sudan, or moved to Northern Sudan. Whilst the former have the inclinations that they are revolutionaries or sons/daughters of revolutionaries, the later thinks by remaining in the Arab Controlled towns, they have grew to abhors the Arab more than those Red Army, or refugees who sought further resettlements in the West. Resettlements to the youth who remains behinds in the governments controlled towns, is a cowardice moves. Likewise the youths who were former Red Army, would say in return that they are the real revolutionaries etc. What is the reality here, Gods knows, but it will be there for all to see.

The third negative and the last is, whilst I try to deviate from the negativity to the positives of the Global Youth Body, it is worth mentioning that for such a body to work it has to have an equal methods of communications. However, as the majority of the youth, may not be able to access internet, which is the only method of communicating the objectives of such a body, it is difficult to get support requires from youth at home. Overcoming the difficulties I had therefore highlighted, then your dreams can be realized.

In conclusion, I must not leave with out highlighting the benefits of the proposed youth global body. First, as youth in any society are the successors of the societies, it is in my belief the success of such a project, shall not only bring the social change in our society, it may also bring change in our politics for the well-being of the coming generations. As Aweil is a supposedly a swing state for the purpose of political future of our country, because of its population, it has for long remains a weakest link of the South Sudan politics, because of its currents leaders. Aweil peoples, did not think that populations are assets, not of fighting war only, but of having a political say. I bet, such a youth body, if it succeeded to prevail, it may bring the lost political hope back to the peoples of Aweil and for the benefits of the coming generations.

Lastly, I must not leave without saying that, people like Kuot Kuot, are what some communities would like to call a “blessing to have son like that”. Kuot’s ideas are greats and worth taking for considerations. But, I must regrets the fact that, our community is in dire needs of some reforms, for people like Kuot and many others of his likes to have a place they deserves, however, it may not be too long before its realized.

Kind Regards.

Ateny Wek Ateny

London, England.

mayikaher · Major Contributor

Thanks to Ateny Wek, Aluel, and Atong,

Ateny Wek, your elaboration of feasible problems or impediments that are potentially facing the formation and establishment of this yet-to-to formed "global body" are truely existing. There is no organization that can effectively operate without source of finance, proper means of communication, homogeneity of interests and opinions or community strong support in every aspect, reconcilability of past differences, trust, confidence and equally important lack of equal opportunity for any potential member. These situational factors or difficult circumstances you have highlighted are major problems that require every Aweil person to contribute her/his views so that so we could see and decide, as whole, whether it would be feasible or impossible. The final decision to form or postpone its formation rests upon our acknowledgement of its importance and feasibility, or we see that its supreme importance could be there but difficult to move forward with it because the obstacles are obviously unsolvable or inevitable. I would also like to appreciate Aluel and her sister [Atong] for their position on this issue of the formation of "Aweil global body." Women, especially your likes deserve a tremendous in our community issues. God will bless your efforts and understandings of our needs in the tomorrows of Aweil. Your perspectives are extremely helpful to most of us to learn some areas of possible weaknesses to this incredibly large union of youths.

Dear all,

Thanks to you all for your ideas and different perspectives you have poured in with respect to the formation of this body. Personally, though, the problems are as obvious as upcoming peace between Southerners and Northerners. I still support idea of forming this body, not because for the sake of it, or nor because of showing how creative somebody is, but because I do see its long-run benefits it could produce in the future. Ateny Wek has put it more clearly how this body could actually be helpful in most of the areas that require undivided attention and committed bulwark from the youths. I believe and so do most of you that youths are shaping instruments of any community, society, and nation because most of them perhaps more than the aged still show a tremendous interest in affairs of their communities. Perhaps naively or wisely or unwisely or creatively, youths believe they have new ideas and better strategies to put their nations on the right track for prosperity and success. These are what most of the youths not only Aweil youths but youths in other parts of the world. Therefore, it is upto youths to see what would be inevitable problems to this body and continue debating this issue to weigh its disadvantages and advantages to unanimously determine if it would be applicable in our desperate situation for such a body to exist. I believe the problems are obviously there, but is there any possibility to form it or postpone it or switch to better body perhaps smaller one in magitude, possibly financially manageable and controllable in term of leadership and responsibilities. This is ultimately our decision to make as a group which is fighting for the common goal. To put it differently, youths migth have different views due to ther political affiliations, religion affiliations, economic differencs, and other backgrounds but they have one important undeniable thing in common, they have their nation, their people, their land which require them to unite strongly so that they have ability to maintain their integrity and glorification of their people and land. And this is simply done for the sake of the people and the land of the people. I hope if most of our youths think in this perspective, I can't affirm but the possibility of coming up with this body or smaller one than this but more manageable and controllable in term of scanty resources we have can be achieved. Realization or recognition of our capacities and use them to re-define ourselves and improve our political views and relation is the principal key to success, I can't affirm but it can happen with enthusiaism and motivation.

Therefore, for the most part as far as youths are concerned, I call upon them to take a responsibility to make a decison, though it is a tough and difficult process as it is clearly noticed by most of us, it remains supremely important to push for this idea or find a better one that would promote and support the policy of connecting Aweil youths worldwide. All of us have economic problems, I believe, but the importance of connecting Aweil youths worldwide would be in the long-run productive or beneficial though it largely sounds impractical and incredibly unfeasible. This is major part of showing activism and interest in community issues and the nation as well. Aweil youths need better leadership and strategies to deal with each and every challenge in a much better way. We don't have so many experienced and knowledgeable people who would be in a position to think for us, but a few patriotic and active individuals like Molana Ateny wek and others can possibly in their respective capabilities, do much in guiding us through this process. Mind you my contemporaries, this is not easy but remember the most difficult undertaking always produces a big benefit or profit. Take, for instance, from investment perspective, investing money in any business is something most unpredictable and risky in economic. Always in economic people are ecouraged to invest in the most risky activities because they will eventually produce a big profit. I am not saying there is a similarity between the two, but the light similarity is that the formation could be a lot riskier but its benefits could be larger since it is similarly a long-run goal.

Finally, let's keep debating it while comparing the advantages and disadvantages it might produce if it would be feasible and workable.

"There is never time in the future in which we will prepare to work out our salvation. The challenge is in moment, the time is always now." By James Baldwin

Next generation is paramount.

Peace

Thanks,

Garang Aher

Kijana Dhor · Intermediate Contributor

Dear all,

First let me commend those who contributed to this topic and particularly Kuot Kuot who brought up this idea. Just as many of you alluded into, it is really a thorny issue but if we could get it on the track, then at the end of the day we will have something to take a pride of.

Before I give my insight, let me make it clear here to some of the participants that whatever we are making here are personal opinions which can be modified or discarded.

Coming to the issue, I would suggest that we shape this issue to direct our attention towards minute parts of the equation. First let me start that at the moment, the Youth in United States already have atleast established office with leadership structure and currently working on some projects like Nyamlel Secondary school renovation. For information, Aweil Youth in USA is under the leadership of Abuna Abraham Yel Nhial.

For Folks in Khartoum, they likewise have their own established office and I hope people like Ngor Kolong, Ngong Akok can give us a clear picture later on.

Folks in East African have their own Aweil Youth Association currently under Malong Lual Diing.

For the Canada, Iam not sure whether they have one and Iam sure Kuot Kuot with Deng Deng Guruk will help us later on.

For UK or generally entire Europe, I guess there is no Youth office in place just like miss Atong Wek said earlier.

For the folks in Australia, I have no clue at all and fortunately, Udele, Dave Mayen, Garang Pioth and Deng According are here and can confirm for us how far they reached.

With all this skeleton in place, would it not be a little bit easy to explore position ways of bringings all the heads of this body to study the matter? Also to make it more bulky, let us also wish that Youth get organized at various places. with that being achieved hopefully, we will later on in sequence move to the question of how to link all this various institutions in many part of the world Aweil youth are scattered into.

I believe no one will undoubtfully object instutionalizing ourselves since it will be the surest ways of keeping track of our wellbeing, progress and getting to know each other. A clear example is establishment of MadingAweil website had brought us into contact and subsequently meeting some faces that could had been difficult.

I know others might look at it in political angle but let me assure you that it is hope of everybody that we distance it from political standpoint as possible and build it on the prospect of youth contributing to reconstruction in post war Aweil. It is another way of collectively pooling resources under unified authority to ehance a magnitude of reconstruction.

"In Dinka youth is someone below the age of marriage or not yet married – on marriage ones qualifies to be a member of the elders council, depending on how mature he/she may be."

Commending on the issue of age, I would just allude into Ateny Wekdit's point on the above quotation. infact that is the bottomline and this issue of youth with the virtue of being marriage reconsider himself or herself elders and start keeping a distance from youth matters is another setback to an institution of youth in our community and I was so much upset during Aweil conference when Abraham Yel Nhial who is currently the president of Aweil Youth in American could not be given chance to speak on behave of his fellow youths.

I would suggest that we keep the age bracket in the range of 12-45. Commitment is yet another issue. if a gentleman/younglady with 30 years old and married feel that he or her decided to retire from youth affairs, then fine with him.

Lastly, let me thanks participants for their wisdom looking at all your contibutions. At this point we are grateful for the political orientation that our community is picking at a great phase where every issue is debated. I appreciate the unhailing support and encouragement that our only elder Ateny Wekdit is giving us since establishment of this website upto date. So Ateny Wekdit your historical facts about our greatland Aweil has reinforced our pride and create a strong attachment towards our past day and night. 'big' thank you indeed. I would wish that the concern party is taking note of all your contributions here and at the end of the day give us a general consensus.

Otherwise, keep on contributing to this important topic.

-- Edited by Kijana Dhor at 20:55, 2004-12-22

Deng Santo · Beginner Contributor

Dear brothers and sisters,

I want to thank all of you for breaking this topic down into bits which are chewable and digestable. I am encouraged by the way you explore all the challenges we might face in dealing with this idea. I agree with Ateny Wek, in Dinka culture, there is no clear cutting edge of youth and elders, many people assume positions of elders as soon as they are married. Sometimes, a young brother may marry before his elder brother, and in such a case, our community consider the young brother as the elder because he has wife and his brother is thought of as youth. This is a very dangerous tradition.

According to my own understanding, a youth is someone who is capable of defending the community in events like war. I am sure that in our olden days when we used to fight each other with spears, people whose ages were 45 used to fight at the wings (tuong thok) because they were considered to be more experienced than young ones. So they are youths because they are still strong both physically and mentally.

Brother Ateny Wek,

I really appreciate your contributions here, your ideas are always full of wisedom and that is what I like about them. For example the points you contributed to this topic are the guiding light in discussing this topic. We need to consider the level of communication among different Aweil youths, we also have to find ways to bring unity so that such ideas can work. I encourage others to say what they think.

Aweilism is my starting point.

Tong Deng · Beginner Contributor

Dear all

These discussions under this topic A need for Aweil Youths Global Body are going on ok. I am almost through with my business and I will soon add my input not later than the weekend. I wanted to inform you that Malong Lual Diing is currently in Malualkon and I did forward the entire discussion notes except the current one of mine to share them with the youth at home. Since Malong is familiar with this website I also asked him to login and share his/their ideas with us. The wider it is read the better.

Malong can be reach at following address: babaafrica2002@yahoo.com or Madut Dut (Abuk Abuk) mobile phone +88216 5065 0945

All the best

Tong Deng

Ateny Wek · Beginner Contributor

Dear Dhor-Abun and Deng Santo,

Once again thank you for yet another compliments - I however, must added them into already existing sequences of mutual respect between us. In fact you are right the youth's age still stand at 12-45 and will remain as such, until the contrary become available. Nevertheless, it is the cultures we are adopting which may have become a practical reality, were the one, I had felt to address before such a participation is viable. For me, I am sure accroding to the new adopted norms of Southerners, I am not even a member of elders council. Elder according to what is on now in the South Sudanese differnt walk on life, look almost universal, that the elder is someone beyond the age of 50s which, is still 9 years away from me. Youth age globly, is what my age should fall until next five years, notwithstanding the fact that I had childern who also attains the age of youth. Here stands my point - I do not know how other peoples of my age may looks at it. What, I am trying to highlight and that, some of you might have read in Miss Aluel Wek's comments of yesterday, is that Youth age in the West is by implication had a clear line. Believe me or not, when I started my Law degree course 3 years ago, when I was just turning 37 yrs old, I had to face the fact that most of my seminar group's colleagues were not even willing to talk to me, because I was 19 years older than them - two generation before them had elapsed between me and them. Until I had shown them my ability to debate the case law, some of them (only my small group of 4) are the one who talks to me, but only because we had a collective responsibility. If, you people accept to us as your equal partners, then Why Not?.

Again, as Aluel Wek had asked Kuot Kuot, as to what shall be the different between those youth who have not yet had participation with those already on board, of which no answer was availabe for it. Answering this question is the solution. For me, I have no problem to help youth, even if I am not a member. I am sure my chance and that of my age groups in South Sudan was delayed by the War, and it may come together with that of yours. So we need to work together, but the forefront is yours. War time situation is a survival of the fitters and, and so even 70 yrs old man/woman may tend to defend him/herself, but that is the exception, not the norm. There is one thing I may need to share with any southerner, if the time allows me to do so .i.e the age is part of what human being must take into account. 10 yrs olds are not the same as 15 yrs olds, although they falls in the same generation - and this must be consider. After war, we may not have any excuse to say.

In conclusion, having stated all above concerns, I must reitrate that, you need to engage in your team, those who are capable and able to work in order to prevail. But, fathers and mothers whose children attains the age of youth, should be assign the role of advisors, to be honest with you. For, those who may want to take active roles of youth together with their children, that is also a matter for them (a voluntary role) and they must be encourage. Concerning Aweil Youth Organizations in UK or elswhere in Europe, I am not sure there is any one. We only had community organisation, but some are neglected to death. We gave the Chair of our UK-Aweil Community this time to a ...(Lady), as sign of the equal opportunity, but that woman left the community to sink dip to the abyss of choas. If I could borrow Aluel's words that "in some situations, women are the writers of their own fate" I hope Awien Anei could read this and compare it with the USA scenario. So, brothers/sisters go on with youth organization, and we are behind you. Do not get discourages by short-comings of a given situation. I must say that my financial contributions for this organisation (in making) is intact, and I will soon be directing them to the right body, if this is to work.

Kind Regards.

Ateny Wek Ateny

DENG DENG GURUK · Beginner Contributor

All,

I know how difficult it is if one imagines how the formation of Aweil Youths Global Body gonna be; however, remember every long-term achievement starts with tough decisions, sacrifices, processes and actions. The creation of Youth Body worldwide will bring two vital things: battle gender inequality and hope to the people in need.

Our ladies in the past have agonizingly experienced countless men’s terrible corruptions for loads of decades, and their incapability to overcome these undeniable corruptions remained miserable in their entire generations. They were not allowed in exercising their Holy one’s giving rights and even some are still at present itching the same degree a little by little. That discriminatory accomplishment was due to the lack of co-operation among intellectuals, self-perusing and many more. Our intellectuals were fighting for their supremacies. They took all social, educational and economic decision-making processes upon themselves rather than minding the heart of the community, women. Every decision made by men in the past favoured them and forgot the importance of women as an ordinary decision-makers in families’ affairs and communities at large. Without women, the community may sound too sour and lose its sweetness. In this case, we need at least to restore back women’s rights, and to reinstate their fundamental rights is to bring to an end earlier period experiences they have gone through. That means women will be allowed to use their natural rights should their capabilities and intellectualities allow. To encourage women voicing their voices is to form the body which permits their loud to be heard. Our generation is the merely age group that will more outstandingly be watchful for every unacceptable move against our sisters and mothers. This global body if we all agree to its establishment will ensure our mothers’ and sisters’ ideas and concerns are widely accommodated which will be the long-last achievement Aweil community has ever had.

Aweil (if I am not wrong) is the only place in South Sudan where clean water is still a nightmare. We have numerous agencies operating in Southern Sudan, but none of them is engaging in bringing clean water. The question is: what can we do about the lack of clean water and other things associated with disasters in the said area? You know, nobody can be serious building your area without you building it first. We need to do something like the step of forming the global body. This body will have different people with wide ranging ideas; too many thoughts make the problem effortlessly answerable, and that’s why most of us see the shaping of Awiel Youths worldwide body is imperative.

It is super that we have two respected individuals who help us should need is needed. We have elder Ateny Wekdit who for all time stays along side in guiding us to cross “adekdiet” whenever we need him, and Tong Deng who loves his community to have exceptional innovative dreams. Thanks to both of you, Wekdit and Tong. We value and recognize your efforts.

All in all, the formation of Aweil Youths Global Body is well placed, well-thought and well constructed. Let’s get the job done for the desperate Aweilians. For now, the floor is for you. Just say what you think about the topic. This is only a decision, and it is you who will make a difference. Should you feel the establishment of this body is impossible, through in your words. They are important.

Have a wonderful thoughts and merry Christmas

Deng Deng. Guruk

gabba4 · Beginner Contributor

hi everybody.

it has been a long time since i left for a long holiday and for some other commitments. how is your xmas?

back to the topic, first i was impressed by the idea when i first heard about it by words of mouth. the first things which came to my mind was the proposal or need for "aweil global reporters". we have many people who don't have access to internet/computers because of commitments or unfortnate to have not learnt it. the same idea of "aweil global body"is also true and applicable in the current situations. we need people who will be representatives of all aweil people at home and in diaspora.

secondly, it is not bad for some people to challenge the topic. in fact it is only when the topic is well debated that we could come out with good results. i like criticisms some compatriots have come up with but let's ask oursevles, "do all aweilians know what is happening around the globe?" or do they have access to internet/tv or other mass media?

centralisations of communication is very important if you want to succeed as a community. so let us think twice about this topic and give our views on how it can be modify to suite our needs. let us keep it simple as a way of informing people. i rarely contribute but there are some of us who are very active and don't miss single day on discussion board. what if such people are encourage to hold those posts untill we our fruits are rippen. we have been holdings postions in the bush without hoping anything in return for many years. honour is also important for you to be appointed as a representative of a continent or so.

let put the issue of finance/politics and age of representative aside. these things will be solved later. a tall building starts with one brick.

looking forwards to hearing from you.

with best regards.

garang pioth.

Deng Santo · Beginner Contributor

Hello fellow homies,

This is me, Deng Santo. I hope you all had good Christmas and new year's celebration. I wanted to bring your attention back to the topic, Aweil Youths Global Body. Peace is going to be signed next week and all communities will be free to develop their own lands. The question is: are we (youths) prepared for the coming task? If no then we youths of Greater Mading Aweil should organize ourselves now so that we should effectively contribute toward the development of our homeland. I would like us to look at this topic closely and see if it is time to forward it to Aweil youths' offices around the world to look at it. Otherwise I wish all of you a very good 2005.

Aweilism is my starting point.

-- Edited by Deng Santo at 01:21, 2005-01-03

mabbul · Beginner Contributor

quote:
Originally posted by: gabba4
"hi everybody.
it has been a long time since i left for a long holiday and for some other commitments. how is your xmas?
back to the topic, first i was impressed by the idea when i first heard about it by words of mouth. the first things which came to my mind was the proposal or need for "aweil global reporters". we have many people who don't have access to internet/computers because of commitments or unfortnate to have not learnt it. the same idea of "aweil global body"is also true and applicable in the current situations. we need people who will be representatives of all aweil people at home and in diaspora.
secondly, it is not bad for some people to challenge the topic. in fact it is only when the topic is well debated that we could come out with good results. i like criticisms some compatriots have come up with but let's ask oursevles, "do all aweilians know what is happening around the globe?" or do they have access to internet/tv or other mass media?
centralisations of communication is very important if you want to succeed as a community. so let us think twice about this topic and give our views on how it can be modify to suite our needs. let us keep it simple as a way of informing people. i rarely contribute but there are some of us who are very active and don't miss single day on discussion board. what if such people are encourage to hold those posts untill we our fruits are rippen. we have been holdings postions in the bush without hoping anything in return for many years. honour is also important for you to be appointed as a representative of a continent or so.
let put the issue of finance/politics and age of representative aside. these things will be solved later. a tall building starts with one brick.
looking forwards to hearing from you.
with best regards.
garang pioth.

"

Garang Pioth,

Nice meeting you here buddy. Long time no see. How is the going in Aussieland? anyway I was happy to see that you are here.

Kuot Kuot,
Let me know pal if quoting a big post like that of Garang Pioth takes a lot of your space so that I don't do it next time. Take care and byes everyone.

Kijana Dhor · Intermediate Contributor

Dear Garang Pioth,

Happy new year with folks in Aussie.

First let me commend your contribution on the above topic but at the same time let me register my mix feeling towards your writings.

Before I get to the heart of the matter, let me remind you that you once led us as Aweil Youth Leader in Kakuma in election whom you won with Kuot Kuot as your deputy with the consent and legitimacy of some of us members here on the board. Having said that, we still owe you respect as a leader and you had turned blink eye to this respect as demonstrated in your first ever writing on the Board here when you started your participation with insults and bashing remarks.

Others responded to your past comments but I chose not to respond not because I was happy but due to the respect I owe you as a leader and colleague of mine in school since primary upto secondary school.

Again I was infuriated and irritated by your recent mocking remarks and putting all these remarks together, I felt that it is time to register my disappointment not to hurt your feelings but with hope that next time you need to reciprocate our respect. Just to let others understand, let me bring the following quotation into your attention from your first post and recent one.

"it is not bad things to claims your rights or be known but it should be done in appropriate manner, directed to the right person, and at appropriate level. i mean to say some of us are too naive to show their horns at this moments. you may say you want to be heard or doing the right things but you are risking your potential at the wrong time. some may have already been dark listed by politicians and it would be hard for you to make it through".

"try to be active behing the scene. in the coming months alot of goods and bad things will be happening as peace deal is coming to be finalised. others will be celebrating while others will working hard to deter it (peace) development."

I beg your sincere judgement of the choice of words you used addressing folks you once command as a leader and a colleague who had spent their entire live holding you at great esteem.

Here is another irritating and nagging remark from your recent post.

" i rarely contribute but there are some of us who are very active and don't miss single day on discussion board."

I would swollow and stomach the whole sentences but with ' ..don't miss single day' whom I bolded, I felt there might be something sugar coated in your message.

Pioth Deng, I expect better than that from the person of your calibre.

Have a nice time,

Dhor Aher.

-- Edited by Kijana Dhor at 19:46, 2005-01-03

Kuot Kuot · Major Contributor

Mayom Bul,

How is it going ya mouny? How is wheather? Someone told me that life in Ottawa is usually next to hell in Winter, is that true? Any way we don't mind anyone quoting long stuff on this board, so feel free to quote where necessary.

KK.

mabbul · Beginner Contributor

Kuot Kuot,

I am not happy dude. I wish these people should give us an extra week to enjoy ourselves off campus. I don't know why the break was that short?

Yeah it is hell here in winter times. You people are blessed as I am told it rarely snows in BC. Actually they preach it to me that Ottawa is the coldest capital city in the world and they seem to be happy about it. But that type of speech scares the hell out of me. The irony with ottawa is that most natives of this city are more active and comfortable in winter than in summer. But I swear I will never be active in winter as it freezes my nerves from the first to the last one.

I can see you guys are having a nice discussion about being organized globally. It is worth applauding.

I am back to school....

Kuot Kuot · Major Contributor

Hello folks,

I was wondering, how did we end this topic? Did we say "forget it, it is an impossibility" or were we detracted by X-mas celebration? I thought it would be a wise idea to go back to this topic and give yet another look. What do you think?

KK.

santino Ajith · Major Contributor

Hi Kuot Kuot

Thanks for bringing up this fantastic topic for discussion. It is really beneficial to Aweil community back home and everywhere on this earth planet.

Dear all

I know this idea is hard to achieve but we can do it because everythings is possible if we pull all our gears toward it. With determination and interest, we can surprise ourselves if we agree to work toward its formation and not let us be overcome by our fears. I am very please with this topic because it is very essential to our community as we all know that a lot of work wait us ahead in our community. You guys have said everything. The only remaining one is how we should go ahead with it? If I were you, we can move ahead with it and see the implications later on. I embraced and support this idea.

Thanks

Santino Bol Ajith

Aquoll · Beginner Contributor

Dear all,

First of all, I would like to thank whoever came up with this topic and those who poured in a lot of interesting ideas to persuade Aweil people. The only way which remains though a little more touchy is to initiate major undertakings at this critical time. Aweil needs an enthusiastic, motivating, forward-looking, and ecouraging generations to introduce new ideas, to initiate new plans, to formulate better social, economic, and political strategies to recover from these catastrophic situations. The challenge is to adapt foward moving steps and creation of the competent and caring leadership. And I believe the right way to get this competent and responsible leadership is to discover our obligations and responsibilities to our beloved communit. We have a great opportunity to prepare ourselve before we are in the second quagmire. The fact that Aweil has been faced by serious security and economic problems requires Aweil people wherever they are to come to friendly and productive dialogue or discussion. We can benefit from ecouraging working together with every Aweil person. We have to realize that we all have different capacities and these capacities must be combined to attain the sucessful end.

The most important aspect of this project would ecourage young people to get involved in community services, thereby be able to learn and improve their management and leadership abilities. It would ecourage them to work pratically with people who need services or helps from them and hence they would know better, how to deal with people with different personalities, with different opinions, with different requirements or needs. This is the practical aspect of this project besides unifying and consolidating the youths worldwide. Their leadership awareness would also help them to nurture the growth and development of other people in their communities or families. They youths would get involved in training and providing assistance in any form, more particularly important education services to the community. This is also the biggest area that need youths full sincere commitment or dedication. Educational sector is the area where most of the youths are more advantaged than the rest of the community because they had to learn to get education outside the war-affected country, South Sudan.

Ladies and gents, I believe the obstructions are really massive but the fact remains clearly obvious. We have responsibilities and obligations to that community and vulnerable people in it.

Have a nice time folks.

Thanks,

Aquoll Piezometric

Atem · Beginner Contributor

Dear great Aweilians,

I must be sleeping, i never read this awesome topic before, i would have put in my contribution early, but still i can comment on it, a little bit. First of all, i should appreciate Kuot Kuot and his friends for this brilliant topic. The formatiom of Aweil youths at globe level will be a remedy to many things for example lack of experienced leaders, young politicians, illiteracy and more so proved those guys who called us folish majority that, we are intellectuals, organised majority. Maybe they will be folish manoriy in turn. I strongly and honestly supported the formation.

Dear Aluel and Atong,

Thanks for been conscious about the ages of people inoder for the formation to suceed. And if i may asked you a question, what do age of a person do with the commitment in your community? Am 100% accurate that, many of our heros are three times older than our age bracket, do that stop them from participating in youth development in Aweil? What is your idea? do we have to consider those people who are younger and leave out those who pretended to be teenages while they were bornt early 80s or late 70s? Like Kuot Kuot said, Ayumo Constitution never considered age gap as an obstacle to it formation, anybody who was interested and fully committed was a member of AYUMO although some were old enough for example community elders.

Lets be vigillant of climbing the ladder to the top.

Proud to be born in Aweil,

Ahok Atem

Atong Wek · Beginner Contributor

Dear Ahok,

My sister Aluel is not here at the moment, however I will answer my part and give you my views and I’m sure that she will give you her views. First of all you don't know me and customary to Dinka traditions I will introduce my self. My name is Atong Ateny Wek and I’m from Malekalel , Ajak area , South Aweil county and I was born in Ethiopia in May 1990.

I want to let you know that I don't argue the fact that elders play an important role in society and are there to give counsel and advice to the youths. The name of the body being proposed is AWEIL YOUTHS GLOBAL BODY, therefore meaning that it’s for the youths. I was merely asking a question aimed at Kout Kout, who started the topic and other members in order to establish the age limit of participation. Because maturity doesn't come with age and therefore there needs to be an establishment of what age the body member should be to enter. The age limit if there is any - taking into account the definition of youth in a Sudanese society.

N.B: I briefly answered your question because I know you were absent at the start of the topic but I want to also point out to you that at the moment we need to put aside other issues and pull together in order to stop another Tsunami like situation from occurring in Bar-el- Gazel and in particular Aweil and I am sure you will agree that the lives of 3.5 million people is at stake and we need to concentrate on that for now.

Thanks,

Atong Ateny Wek.

Atem · Beginner Contributor

Hey Atong,

Thank you so much for awaking me and participate in commenting on how to
save thousands lives at stake home.

Ahok Atem