“A Real Future for my Project” - DDR
in 2012
In a dusty side road in the big city
of Omdurman, “Mama” Aisha Juma has
carved out her niche. What started as a small
childcare centre for neighborhood youths a few
years after her demobilization has blossomed into
something much more. After years of providing
support services to the war effort, Aisha decided
to use the small business support from the DDR
Programme to refurbish her small centre. This
transformed the once derelict building into a
sparkling facility; adding new classrooms, increasing
enrollment and hiring two additional teachers
to help cope with the workload. Aisha now manages
the kindergarten with four staff and noted, “My
economic situation is good, my income is improving
and additionally my project has allowed me to
employ three more people. The fees are affordable
for all families and now the kindergarten is getting
bigger which ensures a real future for my project.”
There are thousands of stories like Aisha’s
throughout Sudan. From the arid plains of North
Kordofan to the verdant mountains of Blue Nile,
UNDP and the Sudan DDR Commission (SDDRC) have
maintained their presence on the ground despite
a conflict that has ravaged much of the southern
part of the country throughout 2012. The onset
of war has cast serious doubts on the appropriateness
of continuing DDR in the current context; however
as a driver for peace - alongside a meaningful
Community Security and Arms Control (CSAC) component
- DDR has proven that a powerful alternative exists
to violence and warfare. ...
Previous capture
