By Tapeng Michael Ohure
When John Tito Ajou, a father of quadruplets received news of his wife delivering quadruplets, it was all bundles of joy and celebrations.
However the fete was short lived as the journey and dilemma to bring up the children had just begun. John, who hails from Wau, Western Barh el Ghazel was jobless; he had just lost his job as a driver with a local NGO and was back in the streets searching for a means to support his young family.
As fate would have it, many thought the children came too soon. In October, his wife, Achai Garang delivered the quadruplets at Wau Hospital in Western Bahr El Ghazal State. Through the media, Achai immediately appealed to well- wishers to help her husband find a job to support their young family.
And within a span of two months, Mr luck came knocking at John’s door, the World Vision spotted his appeal and offered him a job as a driver.
He would be stationed in Tonj North, Warrap County. Unfortunately this joy too was cut short as local community members rejected his posting.
They wanted the position to be occupied by one of their own and not someone from another county.
Speaking exclusively to Juba Echo, on Wednesday, a dejected John expressed disappointment saying the rejection had “nearly shattered his dreams”.
“I applied for the job with World Vision in October and I attended the interview in November. They called me yesterday (Tuesday) morning in Wau and gave me offer letter. They told me to report to Warrap County for orientation with Relief Rehabilitation Commission (RRC). But the local chiefs and community members would hear none of that. They rejected me saying they would not allow anyone from another state to work there. They said they have their local people there who can do the same job,” he confirmed.
Ajou says he is desperately looking for a job anywhere in South Sudan to support his four new-born babies.
“My wife delivered recently and i urgently need to get a job as a driver anywhere in South Sudan as long as I’m accepted by residents of that area. For now, I’m struggling alone as there is no support from the government,” he added.
Ajou’s previous contract ended in 2020 and since then, has never had a job.
Attempts by Juba Echo team to speak to local county authorities in Tonj North did not bear any fruits as our calls went unanswered.
