When fighting broke out in December 2013 in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, it spread rapidly toward the country’s northeast – directly towards John Aleu’s home. He wanted no part of the conflict and hoped the remoteness of his village in northern Jonglei state would insulate him.
But in September last year, a group of fighters came to steal his cattle. As he tried to spur the animals to flee, he was shot in the foot. It took his neighbors three days to carry him to the nearest hospital. His foot was saved, but he will never be able to walk without crutches again.
By April he was well enough to travel, so together with his family he journeyed across the border to Uganda. “If I’m going back, I can’t feed my family,” he said. “I’m in need of something that can promote my life and my family’s life.”
