South Sudan Independence – Young Writers Award 2021

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Breaking The Silence: Healing Through Writing

Award Ceremony – 2021 winners/their representatives receiving their prizes.

Her voice was shaky. She could barely get a sentence out and seemed to be gazing into the distance. One hand held on to the microphone steadily lifted towards her lips while the other hand was moving in a circular motion as if urging the words trapped within her to come outā€¦ She is Brenda, the second runner-up of the South Sudan Independence Young Writers Award 2021. During a panel meeting at the award ceremony, Brenda was asked why she decided to write her winning story “Breaking the Bonds of Traumatized Silenceā€, a story that cut deep. Her experience was one she always found difficult to speak. She feared that if people know something had happened to her they would judge her and treat her differently. Brenda found the courage however to write and submit her story to the Young Writers Award. After gaining her composure, she answered the question saying, ā€œI decided, I donā€™t care what people think anymore. Itā€™s my story and I want to share it.ā€ Dare we say her healing has begun?

The South Sudan Independence Young Writers Award is an initiative of EVE Organization for Women Development in celebration of the independence of South Sudan, under its Incubator (Young Women Leaders Program) to encourage and recognize excellence in writing fact or fiction with a focus on stories about South Sudanā€™s past or envisioned future ā€“ fact or fiction and personal stories. It also aims to promote the culture of reading and writing among South Sudanese Youth and to develop strong communication capabilities which is crucial in any career path that they may wish to pursue.

This yearā€™s theme ā€˜Breaking the Silence ā€“ Healing through Writingā€™ explores the hardships we have experienced as a nation pre and post-independence and the different experiences people have gone through. The stories reflected the bleeding state of our nation as they touched on topics such as domestic violence, inequality, insecurity, conflict, loss, life as a refugee, economic struggles and so much more. It is often hard to measure the depth of emotional wounds that have been inflicted in our society especially when little to no platforms are provided to share and seek healing. Identities get lost, hopelessness kicks in, and loneliness follows us like a shadow when we feel unheard. The Young Writers Award encourages the youth to heal their pain through their writing gift and also encourages them to nourish and grow in their craft. Reading other peopleā€™s experiences also provides healing, comfort, and understanding amongst each other, furthermore removing the stigma around emotional and mental health.

Agyedh 1st, Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Catherine 2nd,Ā Ā  Ā Ā  Brenda 3rd

This yearā€™s top 3 stories challenged the readers’ comfort level with addressing pain and injustice in our communities. Reading ā€œPain lensesā€ by Agyedh questioned if we actually know and sympathize with each otherā€™s pains and struggles. It causes the reader to reflect on their own life and the people around them and truly wonder if they are okay or simply hiding their pain behind empty smiles and denial.

Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā  ā€œGirls are emotional, have physical limits and biological dilatory which make them not function in certain thingsā€¦.ā€ Do these words sound familiar? Is it something you have ever said in a conversation or merely thought along the lines of about yourself and or even someone else? Catherineā€™s story ā€œDebateā€ used a creative approach to push the reader to find their voice or at the least not muffle the voice of others.

Brendaā€™s personal story, ā€œBreaking the Bonds of Traumatized Silenceā€ draws our compassion towards young girls and a society that seems to exploit them. If read keenly, it raises the question of who is actually responsible and who is to take the blame for the moral decline or deficiency of our youth and society?

Our winners were awarded in a ceremony on the 29th of July at Juba Regency hotel. The gathering was graced by Ms. Sawsan Omar from the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Ms. Cecilia Apaya from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Ms. Kim Strollo from the American Embassy, Hon. Lawrence Korbandy, Mr. Ndubisi Obiorah, Senior Political Affairs Officer at UNMISS, and Mr. Gabriel Shardar. Also present were our judges Hon. Rebecca, Dr. Mayai, and Dr. Edward (who sent a virtual message). All our guests offered words of encouragement to the youth and also constructive ways in which they can grow in their talent, pulling inspiration from renowned authors such as Prof. Taban Lo Liyong, Chinua Achebe, and Chimanada Ngozi.

Gift bags were presented to the top 10 young writers or their representatives with cash prizes included for the top 3. Our own South Sudanese Poet and Spoken Word Artist, Tata Diko, and dancers from the South Sudan Dancers dance group offered entertainment and simultaneously reminding us there are different ways to express ourselves that should we should encourage the youth to explore.

There are many aspects to celebrating our countryā€™s independence. This yearā€™s theme encouraged healing through writing and sharing which is an important step in wiping the lenses with which we view our country. We look forward to more awards to come that will help us to highlight our nationā€™s beauty, culture, and diversity.

#SSIYWA2021 #ShareYourStory #HealYourPain

Author: Elizabeth Biniya Moga

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