Storytelling: The Spaces in Between

South Sudan has experienced decades of war and trauma, creating social and ethnic divisions and producing a cycle of violence that has affected generations. Survivours of such unspeakable trauma can feel frozen in time and lose a sense of self.  

Reconciliation requires that survivours and perpetrators come to accept the past and see the humanity of one another. Becoming a mirror for one another, these individuals from different ethnic backgrounds came together to create a safe space of acknowledgement and re-connection, and to tell their shared stories.  

Whilst forgiveness and memoralisation can prevent future conflict and facilitate peace, each person will always carry with them traces of their loved ones and fractured past. These shared impressions of trauma make up the spaces in the between us all. 

This Holga multiple exposure series bears witness and celebrates some of South Sudan's heroes - Peace Mobilisers from all ten states and Abyei - working at the grassroots level to heal wounds, re-weave the torn fabric of their communities, and lead a nationwide reconciliation process. 

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South Sudan's Committee for National Healing, Peace & Reconciliation aims to promote transitional justice amidst the backdrop of a brutal civil war. Through intensive trainings with the Institute for Justice and Reconcilitation, over 70 representatives from all of South Sudan's ten states and Abyei have come together to learn and practice reconciliation and transformation.