When I went to Tutapona for the first time, I had problems. I came here with my 5 children from South Sudan, and I had to leave my husband behind.

I heard last April that he had died; he had been killed by an opposing tribe.  They cut off his head and left him there like that.

Then, in November, my son was killed at school. He fought with a boy from another tribe, and he died.  How could I sleep? 

I often wondered if it would be better if I had stayed in South Sudan.  Would these bad things have happened if I hadn’t fled? It was too painful.

After my son died, all I wanted was for the one who killed him to remain in prison for ever and ever. My boy was gone, and I wanted the other family to lose someone too. 

When my relatives heard the news, they torched the houses of the tribe who had killed him.  But I remembered what I learned from Tutapona – that revenge would only hurt more, so I asked my father to call the two tribes together.  This type of fighting couldn’t go on – no more violence.

Tutapona helped me because before, I could never forget what happened. But now I can let go, I can forgive that person. Now, if you insult me, I know that I don’t need to answer to that.

My life has changed a lot. Now I’m a council-woman and I’ve started a peacemaker group.

If people are arguing or fighting, we will sit together, talk about it and tell stories.  We pray together; no more violence.  We can be in peace only when we come together.

-Agnes

Because of the generosity of people like you, Agnes has found emotional healing. BUT there are thousands of people just like Agnes with stories that are yet to end with hope. Help Tutapona bring hope and healing by donating today.