HOPE STILL REIGNS Jubilation and hope filled the hearts of many on 9th July 2011. South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, was born after decades of fighting, despair and loss. It was the birth of a nation and the promise of a fresh start as the nation took its first steps. There was high expectation for growth and many believed they would not see another conflict in the country they fought so hard and so long for. Unfortunately, they were wrong. The road to prosperity took a sharp detour on 15th December 2013 when fighting broke out in Juba and quickly spread to many parts of South Sudan. More than 1,000,000 people fled their homes; some to within South Sudan and others to neighbouring countries such as Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya. As a result, a lot of attention has been paid to the negative side of South Sudan’s ethnic groups and diverse cultures. While we need to investigate and make public all violations of human rights that are happening, we also need to shed light on the many people who went above and beyond to help those from ethnic groups different from their own. These are the voices of those who went the extra mile. Their bravery and strength in light of the situation they faced is a testament to the extraordinary power of compassion, hope and the will to survive. Photo: Mackenzie Knowles Coursin/Oxfam