Joining hands across the ocean…

When I first met Deng Deng Akon in Juba 18 months ago I commented on the difficulty of travel and communication between our two countries. He reassured me that Australia didn’t seem so far away because his wife and children were there. I have since learned that leaders in South Sudan have a stronger relationship with Australia than any other western country because of the number who have family members amongst us.

In my first 24 hours back in Sudan I have seen how strong this connection is. Already I have met dozens of Australian Sudanese, several that I know and have assisted in various ways. At an Independence Day concert and dinner last night which was hosted by the President I sat on one side of the Aweil Community Chairman from Adelaide, and on the other side of a man who has a wife and children in Adelaide. Amongst the dozen or so ladies escorting the First Lady were three from Adelaide.

Joseph said to me that he could see the reality of Deng Deng’s words – that the link between our communities was indeed like joining hands across the ocean.