John Chol has trained and served with MAF in Uganda as a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Now he’s relocating back to South Sudan to serve his countrymen.
After six years of excellent service at Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in Uganda, John Chol, a South Sudan national, is returning home to serve his people.
One of MAF’s greatest resources is the diversity of its staff that daily wear their service caps to support the transformation of the lives of people living in isolation.
John’s home country, South Sudan, is still emerging from decades of violence. And this aspect puts the country in great need of professionals like him.
“I need to go back home and support my people through MAF in South Sudan. Due to a very poor road network and insecurity in some parts of the country, air and water transport become a common means of reaching people,” John explains.
People like John not only keep MAF’s fleet of aeroplanes airworthy but are an answered prayer to thousands of people that would not access services if MAF was not available.
MAF in South Sudan works in partnership with national church groups, mission groups, development and relief agencies and other non-governmental organisations, enabling access to inaccessible locations across the nation.
South Sudan is not without insecurity, mostly due to internal conflict that in the past has led to civil war. Millions of South Sudanese are refugees in Uganda. This internal conflict is one of John’s concerns, especially as regards to his family.
“I have been living with my family here in Uganda, which is relatively safe. I will leave my wife and children here first and will assess how soon they should follow me since I’ve been away from home for many years,” he said.
Having lost his father as a result of the 1991 war, John and his five siblings were raised by a single mother, who did odd jobs to educate them. His wife’s family was displaced by the war in 2013, and are still refugees at a settlement in Adjumani, northern Uganda.
The challenges faced by his country are a big driving force for John.
“I want to grow into a responsible person and contribute to the growth of nations, especially South Sudan, my country. I love Africa, and I wish that we remain united,” John said.
John says he will fondly miss his colleagues in Uganda, who have become family.
“I thank MAF in Uganda for the opportunity, hospitality and all the training. The environment here is conducive. As a matter of fact, Uganda feels like home, Uganda is home,” he adds.
With a licence from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, John is now a certified engineer, meaning that he is now capable of releasing an aircraft back into service.
“We are very grateful for the time John Chol has spent with us, and his contribution to the work here,” said Evelyn Kabahuma, MAF’s Human Resource Officer in Uganda.
“John has been a great addition to the hangar team and even though we are sad to see him leave, we are so proud of how hard he has worked to get this far! We are excited to see him continue to grow as he works with the South Sudan team!”