Building Back with Skill: Joelle’s Journey from Displacement to Hope

When war erupted in South Sudan in 2013, Joelle John had no choice but to flee to neighbouring Uganda.

A father of five, he left behind a life shattered by conflict—his community uprooted, schools closed, farmland deserted, and the constant threat of being forced into armed groups looming over him.

“There was no food, no schools for the children, and the rebels would capture you if you didn’t join them,” he recalls.

After returning to Yei in 2019, Joelle struggled to find stability in a town still healing from years of turmoil.

But his life took a turn when he enrolled in a six-month carpentry course under a vocational skills initiative supported by the Reconciliation, Stabilisation and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF).

“I chose vocational skills because I love the work,” he says.

With his new knowledge and a basic set of tools, Joelle began taking small contracts—building doors, windows, and roofing frames.

What started as a survival tactic gradually turned into a source of pride and hope.

Today, Joelle earns a modest but steady income, allowing him to support his family and plan for a better future. He dreams of building his own home and teaching his children the value of peace and hard work.

“If I get money, I can build my own house or help others and get paid,” he shares.

While he remains cautious of insecurity in the rural areas, he sees his trade not just as a livelihood but as a path toward healing.

Joelle is part of a growing movement of South Sudanese youth proving that with the right support, resilience can become reality—and peace can be built, one plank at a time.