~ Athieng Riakbai Jok Bil
What started as a personal dream is now gaining national recognition. For much of my life, I have been devoted to empowering women and girls — first through my own personal space, and later through my work as a protection professional and educator. Since returning to South Sudan 14 years ago, my home became a safe haven for girls, a place where mentorship, dignity, and hope could flourish.
The decision to institutionalize this vision gave birth to the Nyandu Spark Initiative (NSI). It was not simply the creation of an organization, but the continuation of a personal journey shaped by survival. As a child of war and a survivor of protection challenges, I carried the conviction that silence should never erase our stories. Out of that conviction came the slogan: #LiveAndTell….a call to testify, to resist erasure, and to transform pain into purpose.
In just one year, NSI has grown from inception to impact. We have built a vibrant team of women and youth leaders, established our presence in Juba and Bor, and advanced programs in child protection, education, gender equality, mental health, and youth empowerment.
Yet the journey has not been without challenges. Global funding constraints have deeply affected NSI, limiting resources and slowing expansion. But instead of allowing this to weaken us, we turned challenge into resilience and innovation. We sought alternative means of support, learned to do things differently, and placed mentorship at the heart of our work. Even with limited resources, we ensured that young people continued to find guidance, opportunity, and hope.
For me personally, the birth of NSI has been a source of growth and fulfillment. It has shown me that what begins as a personal calling can evolve into a collective movement. It has reminded me that resilience is not only about surviving challenges, but about transforming them into opportunities to innovate, mentor, and empower.
As we celebrate this milestone, I invite partners, donors, and supporters to walk with us. Together, we can strengthen resilience, expand mentorship, and ensure that every girl and young leader has the chance to thrive.
Her Story is Our Light. Empowered Daughters, Thriving Communities. #LiveAndTell
Leave a Reply