Rachel Yom Akech (age 8)

Rachel's father used to be a major in the SPLA before he was hit by a
stray bullet and killed. "My father taught me about Jesus," she says.

Her mother is in the hospital in Equatoria due to sleeping sickness.
Rachel's sister Mary also lives at the childrens' home in Kolmarek. A
relative brought the two girls from Equatoria to Juba, from where they
were put on a motorboat to Bor. In Bor they lived in a cattle camp
where they were responsible for taking care of calves. Their
grandmother heard that there is a school in Kolmarek and brought the
two girls to receive an education. "I like to be educated," Rachel
says. "I really like learning to read and write."

For fun, Rachel likes "playing carefully, with love. And I like
playing soccer. But I don't like fighting."