RVI is working in partnership with the Catholic University of South Sudan with a team of young researchers to study the dynamics around youth, violence and livelihoods in South Sudan. The project aims to understand decision-making among young people, their livelihood options and sources of trust, association, and influence. The study focuses on rural and urban youth in and around the towns of Bor, Yirol, Torit, Leer, Mayendit and Juba. Whilst some research has been delayed due to the outbreak of COVID-19, in April 2020, two members of the research team conducted life history interviews with young people from Hai Referendum in Juba. The project is funded through the East Africa Research Fund with UK Aid from the UK government.
This blog was written by Elizabeth Nyibol (Catholic University of South Sudan) and Joseph Diing (RVI) and presents the story of Thiek, originally the Aweil area of Northern Bahr el-Ghazal, who now lives in Juba. When Thiek moved to Aweil town from his home village of Majak Kaar in 2007, his father gave him some money to buy shoes for school. Thiek bought cigarettes and airtime instead, which he sold in the market as a regular business to support his studies. Now one of the domino-playing casual workers and hawkers of Juba city, Thiek’s experience stringing economic life and learning together is a way to understand young men’s livelihoods in the time of coronavirus.