By Deng Kiir Akok
Whether I am in Central Equatoria State or elsewhere in South Sudan, I always feel good when I see people with disabilities (PWDs) smiling on tricycles donated by the Achai Wiir Foundation. They happily cruise the streets of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Central Equatoria States, as well as other states in South Sudan.
To sum up her long journey to where she is today, it began like this: a few years after South Sudan’s independence, a businesswoman and philanthropist named Achai Awet Alor, better known by her nickname Achai Wiir, founded the Achai Wiir Foundation and achieved so much in such a short space of time to empower people with disabilities in South Sudan.
Last January, she traveled to Northern Bahr el Ghazal state to visit the needy as part of her charity mission all over the country, where she received a warm welcome from all walks of life. On her tour, she accomplished her goal of making tricycles accessible to people with disabilities.
The author, the sons and daughters of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, and supporters were pleased with what Achai Wiir had done for the poor, especially when she visited the Jerusalem home for orphans, where she provided them with various food items.
To my surprise, I learned with a heavy heart that the other rich women hated her for sharing what little she had with the poor. Others have taken to social media to criticize her wealth, which appears to be motivated by jealousy. What is wrong with these people? They should better keep quiet and leave alone our pure-hearted Achai Wiir.
Apart from Achai Wiir, there are many billionaires in South Sudan, mostly men, who prefer to eat their money with their girlfriends but do not give it to those in need. Except for Achai Wiir, no one has expressed a desire to share their wealth with the poor to reduce poverty. There are hundreds of billionaires out there. I will not use this piece to name them because they wanted to keep their wealth to themselves and didn't want to declare themselves billionaires, from oil company workers to Juba’s best boutique queens.
We are waiting for the day when they will admit they have billions of dollars in their accounts. They possess resources that can help end poverty. But in their minds, they think spending money on the poor instead of themselves is a waste of resources, which is a bad idea.
Despite her best efforts, some South Sudanese hated her for giving away her wealth to the poor. I disagree with her critics’ assumption that she was involved in puor-dier, a Dinka term for engaging in an unproductive activity. But I ask myself, "Why should she be hated?" Instead of appreciating her charity, thank God that she is still working to save the vulnerable. It shows that God sent her. Achai Wiir is, in essence, a gift from God. She is here to use her foundation to improve the lives of the weak.
In today's difficult conditions, no one in South Sudan dares break their neck and donate the money they have earned, good or bad, for fear of failing in the future because of the country’s current economic crisis.
Go on with your usual program, Achai Wiir, whom I may call the mother of the needy. You should also visit other states in South Sudan where you have never been before to do the same there.
Thank you again, Achai Wiir, for all you have done for the poor. May the good Lord forgive your critics and bless you and your foundation as you continue to support the South Sudanese community.
Deng Kiir is a commentator and blogger. Contact him at dengkiirsouthsudan@gmail.com.
