My name is Adut Ageny. When I was a young girl, the raiders from the north attacked my village and took me away. We walked for ten days. I saw many terrible things. Some of my friends were killed because they could not keep up.
I was sold to a family. I was forced to be a slave, to work for my master and his family, with no pay and very little rest. When the master didn’t like the food I made, he would say horrible things to me and beat me. He forced me to pray as a Muslim. At night, I prayed in secret and asked God to rescue me.
After five years as a slave, I was losing hope. Then one day I heard good news. There was someone who came to our area to free us. To bring us back to South Sudan. When I came back to my village, everyone was so happy. They cried when they saw me, they couldn’t believe I was alive.
Now I am back with my people. I am happy. I am free. I thank God for answering my prayers.
Narrative Provided by Christian Solidarity International.
