Dubbed “15 Days of Patriotism,” the initiative began earlier this week and is being rolled out in major urban centres, including Wanyjok Town, Akuem and Malualbaai. Organisers say the campaign seeks to improve sanitation while encouraging residents to take greater responsibility for maintaining clean public spaces.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Sunday, the President of the Aweil East County Youth Association, David Adim Maduok, said the campaign is designed to raise awareness about the importance of environmental cleanliness and public health, particularly in densely populated areas.
“The 15 Days of Patriotism is a general cleaning campaign intended to help our communities understand the importance of public health while encouraging people to actively participate in keeping their surroundings clean,” Maduok said.
He explained that although the campaign will benefit the entire county, its initial focus is on urban centres where large numbers of residents live and where poor sanitation poses greater public health risks.
Maduok credited the initiative to a local youth, Alexander Alex, also known as Kuol Edward Makuach, whom he described as the driving force behind the campaign.
“The idea came from one of our own, Alexander Alex, also known as Kuol Edward Makuach. When he presented the initiative to us, we embraced it immediately because it was something that would benefit the community,” he said.
According to Maduok, Makuach provided an initial contribution of 3 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) to kick-start the campaign. The funds were used to purchase essential cleaning supplies, while he also donated protective gloves for volunteers participating in the exercise.
“He started the initiative with SSP 3 million, and we agreed to use the money to buy items such as soap and biscuits for volunteers. He also brought gloves to support the general cleaning exercise,” Maduok explained.
Despite widespread unemployment and economic hardship limiting the ability of many young people to contribute financially, Maduok said the youth association remains committed to sustaining the campaign throughout the county.
He noted that the initiative extends beyond sanitation and forms part of broader efforts to strengthen youth leadership and community engagement.
Alongside the clean-up exercise, the association has launched a fundraising drive to support the inauguration of the county youth leadership office, which was established earlier this year. The funds will also help facilitate a review of the youth association’s constitution to strengthen its governance and operations.
Maduok said he has tasked the county executive committee to work closely with youth representatives in Juba to mobilise additional resources ahead of the planned inauguration, which is scheduled for later this month.
“We are preparing to officially inaugurate the youth leadership body, and we are appealing to people of goodwill to support us with whatever they can. I have already made my own contribution and encouraged members of the executive committee to do the same,” he said.
Beyond organisational development, Maduok said the association is also working to address challenges affecting young people across Aweil East, including expanding access to education for vulnerable learners.
He revealed that the youth body has already sponsored one pupil who is due to sit for the upcoming Primary Leaving Examinations, describing the support as part of the association’s commitment to empowering young people through education.
“We have started addressing the most pressing needs facing our youth. We have sponsored one pupil who will soon sit for the Primary Leaving Examinations, and we believe such initiatives will demonstrate the positive role that youth leadership can play in our communities,” he said.
The association also pledged to strengthen its grassroots structures by establishing youth leadership bodies in all seven payams of Aweil East County, a move it says will improve coordination of community activities and increase youth participation in local development initiatives.
The launch of the “15 Days of Patriotism” campaign reflects growing efforts by youth groups in the county to promote volunteerism, improve sanitation and foster community-led development despite ongoing economic challenges. Organisers hope the initiative will inspire more residents to take an active role in protecting public health while strengthening civic engagement across Aweil East.
