Returnees living at Rumbek Way Station are calling for social integration with the host communities while decrying discrimination and lack of opportunities.
The host community, local authorities and returnees expressed their views with regard to the education of the children and employment opportunities in a weekly programme of Good News Radio.Peter Jul Matueny, the official in charge of Rumbek Way Station, summarized the returnees’ views at the end of the panel discussion.
He said the returnees would like to be integrated beginning with their children who should attend school together with their pears.
The returnees expressed confidence that their children will learn Dinka and English although in the Sudan they spoke only Arabic.
The returnees decried nepotism in employment opportunities, saying some of their requests for jobs, including menial ones, were turned down unfairly.
Both returnees and host community members present at the panel discussion agreed that the practice of nepotism is rampant in various institutions in South Sudan.
Mr Jul lauded Good News Radio for the weekly radio programme called “I’m at home”, describing it as of great benefit to both returnees and members of the host community.
“I’m at home” is a weekly radio programme that promotes social integration and mutual understanding between local communities and returnees in Lakes State.