There’s a saying that generosity is a virtue possessed by only a few. This sentiment perfectly suits Buga Nulu, a host landlord in Bidi Bidi Zone 1, who selflessly allocated over 10 and 60 acres of land to refugees, enabling them to cultivate food for their subsistence.
This decision arose from Buga’s keen understanding that land was a significant cause for conflicts between host communities and refugees. He elaborates, “The land I donated was part of my inheritance from my father. Recognizing that I couldn’t utilize all of it, I felt compelled to share a portion with the refugee community because they are also human like me.”
By doing so, he not only addressed a pressing need but also transformed a potential source of tension into a powerful gesture of goodwill, enhancing peace and collaboration in the process.
“I’m now older and can no longer manage all this vast land,” he reflects. “In fact, I’ve started renting out some of it to earn a bit of money, while also dedicating a portion for the refugees to use.”
This decision didn’t come without thought; it was inspired by his participation in dialogues organized by I Can South Sudan in partnership with the Cultural Alliance, with support from Oxfam
“Those discussions opened my eyes to the pressing needs of the refugees and the importance of peaceful co-existence.”
Buga Nulu says that he has more land, and he is willing to give another group of refugees such that they can settle and rebuild their lives.