Cattle traders, in their own words…
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Deng Ruei once lived in a context where youth mobilization for cattle raiding was widely seen as a source of income and recognition. He recalls frequent pressure to join raids, which exposed young men to danger and contributed to fear, insecurity, and repeated cycles of revenge within the community.
When Deng heard about the opportunity under the Cattle Trade Initiative, he registered with the Uror Cattle Trade Association, where he was recognised as a committed youth trader. In 2025, he received USD 1,000 in revolving seed capital provided by Peace Canal with funding from the Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund UK. With this support, he began buying cattle in Uror and transporting them to Bor, where market returns are higher.
After five months of successful trading, Deng returned the revolving fund so that another youth from his Payam could benefit, while reinvesting his profits into his growing business.
Today, Deng describes his life as safer, more stable, and full of hope. His priorities have shifted from risky mobilization to disciplined enterprise. He now plans market trips, negotiates prices, manages livestock sales, and supports his family through legitimate income. Elders and community leaders recognise him as a responsible youth and a positive example to others.
Deng shares that the initiative has given him dignity, confidence, and a meaningful alternative livelihood.
"I now earn my living through cattle trading. My life is safer, and I feel proud of the work I am doing."
Deng Ruei, Uror County
My name is Biel Gach Lang.
Before I received the revolving fund, my life was at maximum risk because raiding was the only way I could survive. I lost many of my friends to cattle raiding. Today, through this support, I am able to feed my family, pay school fees, and I am recognised by the same community that once despised me.
In the past, no one cared about my presence in community gatherings because I had nothing to offer, and my life depended only on raiding. Now I am respected and included because I have a livelihood and a future.
Without Peace Canal, I would have continued to suffer. Peace Canal is like a father to me because this support has changed my life.
I am committed to encouraging our members to return the revolving fund on time and respect the agreed timelines so that others can also benefit.
Biel Gach Lang, Uror County
My name is Chuol Koak, and I am one of the leading members of the Uror Cattle Trade Association and a beneficiary of the Cattle Trade Revolving Fund.
Before I joined this programme, my life was uncertain and exposed to great risk, as there were very few peaceful or reliable livelihood opportunities for young people like me. Many of us depended on activities that often led to conflict and insecurity, and it was difficult to see a better alternative.
Through the programme, I received seed capital to begin structured cattle trading. With this support, I started buying cattle in Uror, where prices are lower, and transporting them to Bor, where market prices are higher. The revolving fund gave me a strong foundation to build my business, support my family, and earn an income through legal and productive work.
Today, I am recognised in my community as a responsible trader and youth leader within the Uror Cattle Trade Association. I am proud to contribute positively to community discussions and decision-making. I also encourage our members to return the revolving fund on time so that other young people can benefit from the same opportunity I received.
This programme has restored my dignity, confidence, and hope. It has shown me that peaceful and meaningful livelihoods are possible, and I am committed to continuing this journey while encouraging other young people to follow the same path.
Chuol Koak, Uror CountyMy name is Ker Gatkuar, and I am a member of the Uror Cattle Trade Association.
Before I joined this programme, life for me and many other young people in my community was filled with uncertainty. There were very few peaceful livelihood opportunities available, and most of us were constantly exposed to the risks associated with mobilization, movement, and insecurity.
We lived under constant pressure, without any reliable source of income, and every day felt unpredictable. I often worried about how I would support my family, and I felt that my life lacked a clear direction or future.
When I joined the Cattle Trade Revolving Fund, my situation began to change.
Through this programme, I was able to engage in structured and lawful cattle trading, and it became the turning point in my life. For the first time, I began earning a stable and predictable livelihood. I could plan ahead, support my household with dignity, and manage my responsibilities with confidence.
The programme did not benefit me alone. It also strengthened peace and cooperation among us as youth traders. We now work together, share experiences, and avoid actions that could lead to conflict or tension.
I am committed to returning the revolving fund as required because I believe other young people deserve the same opportunity that I received.
Today, I feel respected in my community and confident about my future. This programme has restored my hope, strengthened my livelihood, and helped me choose a peaceful and meaningful path in life.
Ker Gatkuar, Uror CountyMy name is Nyuon Lual, from Motot Payam.
Before I joined the Cattle Traders Association, my life was very challenging. I did not have a reliable source of income, and I lived in an environment where insecurity and frustration affected many young people.
I often felt that I had little control over my future, and there were times when I remained isolated because I lacked opportunities to participate meaningfully in community life.
Joining the Cattle Trade Revolving Fund programme completely changed my life.
Cattle trading opened my eyes and showed me that there are peaceful and rewarding livelihood opportunities for young people like me. Through structured cattle trading, I have built a sustainable income that enables me to support my family, provide basic household needs, and contribute to my community.
Today, I participate confidently in meetings and decision-making, and I feel valued and respected.
The programme has also strengthened unity and cooperation among young people from different communities. We now work together instead of mobilising against one another, reducing tensions and building more peaceful relationships.
I also contribute to our association's internal revolving fund so that more young people can benefit from the same opportunity.
Today, I feel hopeful, responsible, and proud of the meaningful life I am building through this programme.
Nyuon Lual, Uror County
My name is Both Koang.
Before this programme, our community was deeply affected by cattle theft, insecurity, and mistrust between different groups. Many of us young people did not have stable livelihoods, and some were drawn into harmful activities because there were no better alternatives.
Life felt uncertain, and relationships within our community were weak and divided.
When Peace Canal engaged us through the Cattle Trade Revolving Fund and the Cattle Traders Association, my outlook and way of life changed.
I moved away from informal and risky activities and into structured and lawful cattle trading. This programme has helped reduce cattle theft while strengthening our sense of responsibility, accountability, and peaceful coexistence.
Today, I earn my livelihood with dignity and feel much safer in the work that I do. I am recognised in my community as a responsible young man and a positive role model for others.
I encourage other young people to avoid criminal activities and choose peaceful livelihoods that bring stability and respect.
Through this programme, I have gained confidence, direction, and purpose. It has changed not only my life but also my mindset, and I remain grateful for the opportunity to contribute to peace and progress in my community.
Both Koang, Uror CountyMy name is Mai Chot.
Before Peace Canal came to our area, I was a struggling businessman with very little stability in my life. I often worried about how I would support myself and provide for my children.
There were times when I felt discouraged because I could not see a pathway that would allow me to rebuild my life or secure a better future for my family.
Everything changed when I was selected to receive the revolving fund.
I restarted my business through structured cattle trading and successfully completed several trading cycles. Today, I am able to provide food for my household, support my children's education, and meet our basic needs with dignity.
My life has regained direction, and I have been welcomed back into community spaces where I now participate confidently.
This business has also helped many people who were vulnerable or tempted by negative activities to return to peaceful community life. It restored our dignity and our sense of belonging.
Today, I feel respected, motivated, and hopeful about my future. I continue to work hard and support the association so that other young people can benefit from the same opportunity that I received.
Mai Chot, Uror CountyMy name is Reath Tut.
Before joining this programme, I did not have access to the tools, opportunities, or support needed to build a sustainable livelihood. I felt limited in what I could achieve and often remained on the margins of community economic activities because I lacked both the capacity and confidence to participate fully.
Through the Cattle Traders Association and the revolving fund, I strengthened my trading skills and learned to manage my business in a more disciplined and structured way. I gained experience, exposure, and recognition as a responsible young trader within my community.
The programme also encouraged us to improve reporting, coordination, and transparency, and I take an active role in supporting these efforts.
Today, I feel empowered, confident, and motivated to continue growing my business while supporting others in the association.
I am committed to ensuring that the programme remains sustainable so that more young people can benefit. This opportunity has given me direction, stability, and hope, and I am proud to be part of a generation of young people choosing peaceful and productive livelihoods.
Reath Tut, Uror County
My name is John Koang.
Before I joined this programme, I faced many challenges as a trader, including insecurity along trading routes and difficulties sustaining my livelihood. Life was unpredictable, and I often felt uncertain about how I would continue supporting my family in the long term.
Through the cattle trade programme, I was able to stabilise my business and strengthen my ability to plan and manage my work more effectively.
Today, I support my family with greater confidence and resilience. I also contribute to discussions on improving trade safety, strengthening cooperation among traders, and promoting fair practices that protect our livelihoods.
Even when challenges arise, I now have hope and determination because I am engaged in meaningful work that benefits both my household and my community. This programme has helped me become a more responsible provider, strengthened my role in society, and given me a renewed sense of dignity and purpose.
John Koang, Uror CountyMy name is Gatluak Wan.
Before accessing the revolving fund, I was a struggling businessman with very limited livelihood stability. I lived with constant stress and uncertainty, never knowing how I would continue supporting my family or meeting my responsibilities.
After joining the programme, I rebuilt my livelihood through structured cattle trading and gradually reinvested my earnings to strengthen both my business and my household.
Today, my family has consistent access to food, greater stability, and improved wellbeing. We no longer live under the same pressure and uncertainty that we faced before.
Through this programme, I also regained respect within my community and confidence in myself. I now see a future where I can continue growing my business while supporting others.
This opportunity has restored my dignity, strengthened my resilience, and helped me become a responsible and productive member of my community once again.
Gatluak Wan, Uror CountyMy name is Gatluak Lual, from Motot Payam.
When I received the revolving fund, I used it to begin structured cattle trading and gradually grow my business through successive trading cycles.
Before that, I had very limited livelihood opportunities and struggled to support my family.
Through my participation in the programme, I have improved my living conditions, supported my household, and maintained enough business capital to continue trading without returning to harmful activities.
My life is now more stable, and I am able to plan for the future with greater confidence. I remain committed to working closely with other young people in the association and encouraging them to choose peaceful and productive livelihoods.
This programme has strengthened my resilience, improved my wellbeing, and provided me with a meaningful pathway towards long-term progress and stability.
Gatluak Lual
My name is Majok Both.
Before I joined the programme, I faced many economic hardships and had very few opportunities to support my family. Life was difficult, and it was a constant struggle to meet even our basic household needs.
Through the revolving fund, I was able to begin structured cattle trading and gradually stabilise my livelihood.
Today, I can support my children's education, provide food and other essential household needs, and continue reinvesting in my business so that it can keep growing.
I am now recognised in my community as a responsible father and a productive young man.
This programme has helped me rebuild my life, restore my dignity, and give my family hope for a better future. I am deeply grateful for the transformation it has brought to my life, and I remain committed to supporting others so that they can benefit in the same way that I did.
Majok Both, Uror County