A Sudanese refugee who suffered a serious head injury while fleeing the ongoing civil war is back on his feet thanks to a rehabilitation programme supported by Jesuit Missions.
Arop Dau left his native Sudan after violence erupted in 2023, making his way across the border into South Sudan. He suffered major head trauma during his journey and, following surgery, was left with poor coordination, which made simple tasks a chore.
“I was weak, anxious, stressed and depressed – I thought the surgery had changed my life for the worse,” Arop recalls. “I needed help getting out of bed, dressing, eating. I felt entirely helpless.”
But thanks to treatment at the Renk Rehabilitation Centre, run by Jesuit Refugee Service International and backed by Jesuit Missions, his movement is greatly improved.
He says the therapy sessions, which he attended for six months, have made a huge difference, and he is now much more comfortable day-to-day.
Staff at the centre massaged his muscles and gave him a dedicated exercise programme which, he explains, has given him greater control over his hand movements when eating and makes it easier to stand.
Arop is one of several who have benefited from the services in Renk, many of whom, like him, have fled violence in their homeland across the border.
“I am forever grateful for this help,” he says.
You can support causes such as the Renk Rehabilitation Centre here.
