Celebrating South Sudan’s Future Today — The Rainmaker Enterprise

A STATEMENT FROM THE FOUNDER OF THE RAINMAKER ENTERPRISE IN RECOGNITION OF THE 7TH INDEPENDENCE DAY OF SOUTH SUDAN.

Seven years ago today, following a long fight for freedom, South Sudan hoisted its flag carrying the country's hopes and dreams for the first time. I was among the thousands of South Sudanese in exile then who, despite the distance, shared every drop of sweat from the blazing sun over Juba where not a single soul was not looking to the sky, coloured with the deep blue of South Sudan’s independent flag.

Although aspirations were squashed when political turmoil broke into violent conflict in 2013, today we want to celebrate what the future holds for South Sudan, her people and the world. South Sudanese people have demonstrated poise, grit and human resilience to stand tall amidst unimaginable suffering. Today, this strength must be channelled towards planting the seeds of peace for the future. A high-level peace agreement is a necessary step but for peace to be sustained, the seeds of clean water, food, education, health and collective action must be planted and nurtured. South Sudan is young, fertile and has great potential to prosper. In a time when our world has been stretched to its limits, South Sudan's fertility and vitality stand as a beacon of hope. The world needs peace in South Sudan now more than ever. This opportunity can be seized only through an approach that is both sustainable and regenerative.

In the words of Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, on her visit to the country last week, “You must not be tired. You must have hope. We must find ways to close the gap between the tragedy today, and your dream of tomorrow.”

James holding the South Sudanese flag at the One Young World Summit in Ottawa, Canada, 2016

Seven years from now, we should be celebrating an Independence Day that reflects the hopes and dreams of a people that were united in their aspirations for a prosperous future on July 9th, 2011. At the Rainmaker Enterprise, we are partnering with South Sudanese communities, harnessing the power of the same sun that shone over Juba on this day seven years ago, to lay down a decentralized water infrastructure for human health and regenerative agriculture. Forward now!

Peace and love to the resilient people of South Sudan. May the stars guide your path to co-existence and prosperity,

James Thuch Madhier