"Childhood is not supposed to be an apprenticeship for war, but I grew up in what is now South Sudan in the 1980s, a time of bloody conflict. John Ayang is the deputy head of delegation in Malakal, South Sudan for the International Committee of the Red Cross, reuniting separated families and negotiating access with warring factions in the world's youngest country. Most dangerous moment"I communicate, negotiate, and even cajole to ensure our work is accepted and that our teams can work safely, obtaining security guarantees from all sides involved in the conflict. Six armed men entered our office to loot and kill - they wanted to murder people from certain ethnic groups. It was dangerous and foolish, but that's what we boys did at the time to help the cause.

Source: The Star May 11, 2016 07:37 UTC