South Sudan Yohana Konyi
Seeing families gain access to essential services, children attending school and communities becoming more resilient, gives me a deep sense of purpose.
With a degree in Economic Banking and Financial Studies, Yohana was working as a Senior Finance Officer at Alpha Bank South Sudan when he made a decision that would change his life – and the lives of those around him.
“I joined the humanitarian sector because I am passionate about supporting vulnerable communities and making a positive impact in people’s lives,” says Yohana. “I wanted to use my skills to help bridge the gap between communities and humanitarian services, ensuring that their needs are heard and addressed effectively.”
Building resilience hand-in-hand with communities
In South Sudan, 9.3 million people – an estimated 70% of the population – require humanitarian assistance. Creating resilient structures and local governance is the only way to ensure long-term, sustainable change for these communities.
For Yohana, this process begins by talking to people on the ground, discovering exactly what they need through “engaging directly with community members, facilitating dialogues between local authorities and residents, and supporting awareness-raising activities.”
“Much of the day involves facilitating community meetings, awareness sessions and capacity-building workshops aimed at enhancing resilience and strengthening local governance,” he adds.
A tough road to travel
One of the biggest challenges Yohana faces is poor road conditions, which can make many communities extremely hard to reach. During the country’s rainy season, some routes are completely cut off as dry riverbeds that cross access roads turn into impassable streams.
To ensure he hears the voices of those in need, Yohana plans his visits carefully and coordinates with local leaders, sometimes using alternative routes or modes of transport.
“Travelling between remote villages can be challenging due to road and weather conditions, but it provides an opportunity to engage directly with community members and ensure their voices are represented.”
Gaining local insights is so important that Yohana has developed strategies to overcome literacy and record-keeping hurdles. His inclusive approach uses group discussions and visual tools to ensure that community members feel involved and respected.
“These strategies help me navigate challenges while ensuring that the project has a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.”
A moment that changed him
The first time he returned to his small home town of Pibor as a Community Outreach Assistant, Yohana was struck by the importance of his role.
“Seeing the daily challenges my community faces was both humbling and motivating,” he recalls. “I remember organising a community meeting where local women shared their struggles with accessing basic services and their ideas for improving local governance. Hearing their voices and being able to facilitate a platform where their concerns were heard and acted upon was incredibly fulfilling.”
Despite the challenges, seeing the impact he makes and the gratitude of the people he helps constantly reminds Yohana why his work matters.
“Knowing that my efforts help empower communities and improve their quality of life keeps me committed and driven every day.”
Read more stories from the field here.
