Today we went on a mission to Lekuongole. The main mission objective was to deliver 3 mothers and 2 children back to Lekuongole. 3 years ago they had all been kidnapped among the seemingly endless cattleraids that take place in Jonglei state. For 3 years the women had been living a different life in the hands of the Nuer community in Akobo. The women had been integrated within the new community and had accepted their fate, atleast as seen from the Akobo side. Through the different missions and visits by a number of people the women had been spotted. The Murle has small scars in the shape of dots in a pattern around the face as is the tradition of the Murle tribe. In the end the 3 women together with 2 children ran away to the SPLA and/or County commissioners office.They where sheltered and given food and other necessities while preparation was made to airlift them home. At the time the airlift took place there was too much insecurity in Lekuongole and other areas so the women had to stay in Bor for another month. Again living in a shelter while being cared for.
Today was the day when they finally could go home and we all flew the one hour flight to Lekuongole. All being anxious as to how it will be on the other side. Once there, we exited the helicopter while people surrounded the helicopter.

We moved away a bit and then the women came out and was greeted by their friends and families. One of the women was immediately hugged strongly by a boy who was around 10 years old. They walked towards the village center still hugging. After a few more steps the woman fell down on the ground and the son hugged her even more. He was trying to sit in her lap as he had done 3 years ago before she disappeared. 3 Long years, especially for a child that age. The boy was now much taller than before and could barely fit but he tried his best to sit in her lap and cuddle up as if he was trying to become one with his mother. Just the way he could remember he did the day she disappeared.

They hugged each other for a long time. A mother, finally re-united with her son and family. The mother was shedding bittersweet tears though, happy to be with her family but also realizing that while escaping she had left 2 more of her kids behind. Thus 2 more kids that will be longing for her hugs for a long time especially in the timeframe of children. The sad reality of the abductions that take place during the cattleraids in Jonglei state, South Sudan.