The Untold Ordeal of Father Benjamin Madol Akot of Panyidu in Juba, South Sudan
April 23, 2015 (SSB) —- Benjamin Abuna Madol of Panyidu is arrested in Juba, his house destroyed and his two guards are arrested. One suffered from broken leg. A man who used to feed hungry emaciated unaccompanied minors with porridge at the heights of extreme South Sudan‘s famine of 1980s. Minors whose skins stuck on their ribs and so wrinkled that they looked like elderly person.
I remembered, Pieng Deng Kuol when he first spoke to us about the process of integration of minors to form groups. Atem Augustino Wol, Koch Marac, Makuach (goal keeper of group ( many of you can recall), Mayom lok, I and many others were integrated to Group One in 1988.
It is this year that I first interacted with Father, Madol. He was the first person that prepared burial place when someone die. He was the father when we need mentor, he was also the provider when we need foods. Him and Pieng became the pillars that support us to stand in those dark days.
I am aging, therefore more of such recollections are fading away but I will never forget that evening of 1988..when I was integrated into group one. Our meal was prepared by Jesh-Asout. We were regrouped into five people to eat on one rugs because there were no utensils and plates. our food was placed on a rug and milk was pour on it. rug leaked milk into soil before we gathered around food to eat foods.
Interesting enough, we were told to eat on one plate before we were introduced to each. We ate that food…but I slept on grass with empty stomach. It was the beginning of torturous journey. Little did I know that things would be dark but days by day things were dark horrific and dark. It became routine that we buried the dead at that young age. some of us ate their food besides dead bodies.
However, the midst of unfolding tragedy, Father Madol and Pieng made a different in our lives those dreadful days. They frequently visited our groups days and nights. They toured to find the sicks to seek sick medical attentions. I never intended to write about my past or share, I will when I settled down, so I will stop here.
Security personnel who have beaten and took Father Madol to custody know little or nothing about him. He is an embodiment of our national pride, and he defeated all odds in the face worst adversary. Let all honor those who persevered and charter new course for good in our country.
Recent recruits or those who came from Khartoum can be reminded that honoring all citizens is process of healing our country and indeed redemptive. South Sudan will be healthy when we respected and adore citizens, orphans, widows, and veterans.
If father Madol house can be destroyed, than something must be destined wrong in the security apparatus. It does not matter what kind of crimes one committed, a house must never be demolished.
It kills the national programs of development. One can not talk about development when he/she destroys it….it defies common sense.
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