A father of five has returned to school in his late 30s to continue his dream of becoming a doctor to serve his community in rural South Sudan.
Moses Khai Maleny, 38, is now in his third year at Victor Luke Memorial School in Cueibet, which is supported by Jesuit Missions.
He felt obliged to halt his education in 2008 after two of his brothers were killed in a fight during a cattle raid, and he subsequently took in their families.
“Both [of them] left behind wives and children, and I felt a strong responsibility to support them,” Moses explained.
He secured a job at a nursery to provide for his brothers’ families but, now he has a large family of his own, wants to seek out more opportunities.
“I’ve watched my classmates succeed and build good lives for themselves. Now I feel the need to pursue my education again, since I have children,” he said.
Moses has been able to send two of his children to school, but two others are sent to the cattle camp, where they spend their days tending to the local cows.
He has ambitions of becoming a doctor, noting that many in his community suffer from treatable illnesses, but that it lacks trained medical professionals.
Moses said he is grateful to the support of the Jesuit organisations, which helps the school run effectively and has enabled him to continue his schooling.
“I appreciate everything the Jesuits have done for us, including paying the teachers, providing lunches, and constructing semi-structed classrooms,” he said.
“Some of us also receive additional support for school-related expenses. Last year, we faced high school fees but, thanks to the Jesuits’ assistance, we pay much less.”
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