Playing is a natural and enjoyable way for children to be active, stay well and be happy it supports the healthy development of children and young people.

The prolonged conflict and war in South Sudan have left behind many remnants of war (ERWs) and various unexploded items in almost all the Ten State of South Sudan exposing the lives of men, women and children to risk.

In order to reduce the risk on the affected people. WOCO with support from UNICEF implemented Mine Risk Education activities in Upper Nile State Fashoda County through a set of education activities with broad objectives of imparting knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices that contribute to reduction of the threat and impact of mines and ERW threaton the affected community.

WOCO focused on Community Liaison to ensure that there is exchange of information with different stakeholders regarding presence and impact of mines/UXO on the community.

Children continue to bear a heavy brunt in the long-lasting and violent conflict in South Sudan, they been displaced from their homes and Country, they have been killed and maimed, abducted, exposed to rape and sexual violence, recruited into arm force and groups, they have been separated from their community, relatives and event their biological parents and primary care givers. They have been exposed to sexual and Gender based Violence including child marriages and early pregnancies.&nbsp

Witnessing killings, destruction of homes, loss of family and friends, disruption of livelihood and sources of income and in addition, difficulties in accessing food, water, education, livelihoods, recreation, and other services all these factors  contributed to children’s and caregivers’ stress on and severely affected their psychosocial wellbeing and mental health

 WOCO in its intervention focused on strengthening the coping mechanisms and provision of appropriate support to the affected boys and girls including their care givers through community based approaches

Priorities of the intervention were

• Establishment safe spaces for children to gather, socialize, play and receive psychosocial support.
• Provision of capacity building trainings to strengthen the knowledge and skills of caregivers, community members, community based child protection committees and teachers on how to emotionally support and care for the children in their respective community.
• Provision of training on PFA for staff as well as community member to assist the Children and their care givers with Psychological First Aid during and immediately after crises to reduce and alleviate the immediate distress, reduce psychosocial problems, and to promote and support short- and long-term coping mechanisms.
• Establishment and strengthening Adolescents groups/clubs for peer to peer support
• PSS and provision of life skill training for boys and girls.
• Promote children’s rights; enable their meaningful participation through awareness raising on child rights in schools and community.