The Dar Mariam mission in Khartoum’s al-Shajara district has become a beacon of hope for approximately 80 individuals, including women and children, who have sought refuge within its walls.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has left millions displaced, and this Catholic church and school compound has transformed into a sanctuary for those unable to escape the violence.
Father Jacob Thelekkadan, a 69-year-old Indian priest, has selflessly dedicated himself to providing aid and shelter to the displaced families.
Despite the danger, he has refused to leave the mission, choosing instead to stand by the families he has sworn to protect.
The mission has suffered significant damage, with shells damaging the roof and stray bullets piercing the walls.
The scarcity of food has forced the nuns to resort to boiling tree leaves for the children, a meager substitute for a proper meal.
The conflict in Sudan has resulted in unprecedented destruction and displacement, with both warring factions hindering humanitarian relief efforts.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has attempted to evacuate the families, but their efforts were thwarted by the army, who accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of using the civilians as human shields.
The RSF, however, claims that the army is responsible for the failed evacuation.
Despite the dire circumstances, the residents of Dar Mariam have managed to create a sense of community and normalcy.
The children play video games and ride bicycles in the yard, while the nuns have converted the most secure room into a shelter, attempting to distract the children from the violence raging outside.
The mission has become a symbol of hope and resilience, a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to persevere in the face of adversity.
The situation remains precarious, with food and supplies dwindling.
The army has provided some aid, including airdropped provisions and a Starlink connection, enabling the mission to communicate with the outside world.
However, the fighting shows no signs of abating, and the residents of Dar Mariam continue to live in fear, relying on their faith and the kindness of strangers to survive.
In the midst of this chaos, Father Thelekkadan and the nuns have emerged as beacons of hope, their selflessness and dedication inspiring those around them.
The Dar Mariam mission has become a microcosm of the larger conflict, a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the resilience of the human spirit.
As the conflict continues to rage on, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that will bring peace to the people of Sudan and allow the residents of Dar Mariam to rebuild their lives.
