I am based with UNMISS in the Malakal Field Office and responsible for implementing the Beyond Bullets and Ballots project. I believe that when we give the relevant knowledge and tools to communities, we promote a self-reliant society. Building strong community ties is the most important building block here and of course, complementing that with policies that are community friendly. The project is a step in the right direction. It brings together the local government officials, electoral officers, police, military personnel, and members of civil society.

Tell us more about your role at UNMISS. UNMISS is one of the world’s largest peacekeeping missions. The South Sudanese nation is a young one having been declared independent in July 2011. As a staff counsellor, I often work behind the scenes — supporting the well-being of frontline staff. Still, I often get the opportunity to interact directly with communities, training hundreds of people on healthy lifestyles and many other health-related matters, in particular those related to stress reduction and its benefit to overall health.     

I serve with the Environment and Occupational Safety and Health Unit. Every newcomer to UNMISS, whether civilian, military, or police, goes through environmental induction training. My responsibility is to make sure they understand how important it is to consider the environment in everything they do. We look at aspects such as wastewater management, solid waste management, and energy use.

Prince Jacob is a UN Volunteer Nurse. He administers vaccinations, delivers nursing care, facilitates prompt emergency responses, and ensures medical support for UNISFA's field operations. Nursing in the peacekeeping context — Prince's service directly impacts the health and welfare of all personnel including international peacekeepers and local staff engaged in the mission's endeavours. Abyei is situated between Sudan and South Sudan.

This is my first experience serving with UN peacekeeping operations.  My day-to-day tasks include documenting, reviewing and analyzing cases of conflict-related sexual violence. This exercise helps identify trends and patterns to inform prevention and response interventions.

Through the UNDP Transitional Justice project funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, UNDP South Sudan has been collaborating with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Greater Bahr El Ghazal; Greater Equatoria and Greater Upper Nile areas to ensure that the voices of South Sudanese are included and heard in all processes. The CSOs have been using their communication channels to provide information about the transitional justice mechanisms to communities of victims and survivors of conflict.

With a wealth of knowledge and skills, Liudmyla always felt a calling to serve in places where help was most needed. Through her assignment, she strives to reduce waste and prevent the harmful effects of open waste burning, which causes air pollution and jeopardizes public health in Central, Eastern, Western Equatoria and Jonglei States.

What inspired you to join UNMISS as a UN Volunteer? 

"Coming from an underprivileged background myself, I have always been passionate about helping communities like the one I grew up in when it comes to promoting local development and respect for human rights. Being a UN Volunteer has given me an opportunity to do so, and in a multicultural context to boot," the experienced advocate and community mobilizer says. 

Josua Amukwaya is a national UN Volunteer serving with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) as Strategic Information and Data for Development Officer for Persons with Disabilities. His assignment is funded by the Government of Sweden. Josua lost his eyesight at the age of 14 and moved from northern Namibia to Windhoek in 2007 to pursue education at a school for the visually impaired. He now holds a bachelor's degree in Lifelong Learning and Community Education.