Stories

Meet Alaa

From bystander to protector: a case worker’s journey in Khor Ajwal

Alaa* is a Protection Case Worker at Khor Ajwal IDPs Site in White Nile State, originally from Qneis Sharq, Blue Nile State. When the conflict started, her family fled on foot due to widespread violence and the risk of targeted killings against members of their tribe. They first reached an area within Damazine, where they stayed for two weeks. Later, an organization arranged transportation to evacuate people from the area, as they remained at risk. However, the vehicle could not accommodate everyone, forcing Alaa to separate from her children. Her children left first with another family, while she was evacuated later. She subsequently arrived in Mayirno, then was relocated to Rabak. After the establishment of the camp where she currently resides, she was reunited with her children. Alaa has now been living in the camp with her family for the past four years, where she earned a small, irregular income preparing and selling snacks and roasted ground nuts, income that was rarely enough to meet her household’s needs. In her daily interactions with neighbours, she witnessed protection concerns facing women, children and families, and often wished she had the knowledge and opportunity to help.

Life before the project
Before becoming a community case worker, Alaa regularly observed protection concerns in her community: cases of domestic violence, child neglect, and women facing serious risks without knowing where to turn. Awareness of protection issues was limited, and some families relied on physical punishment to discipline children. Women and children often moved alone in unsafe areas, and many people facing health problems could not access diagnosis or treatment because of the cost.

Building new skills, becoming part of the solution
When Acted began protection activities in Khor Alwal, Alaa’s involvement in the Community-Based Protection Network (CBPN) and her active role within the community helped her to become a Protection Case Worker supporting Acted’s protection activities in Khor Ajwal site. Through her engagement with the CBPN, she had already gained the trust of community members and developed a strong understanding of local protection concerns and referral pathways. After becoming a case worker, specialized training further strengthened her knowledge of protection principles, case management, confidentiality, referrals, and psychosocial support.

"One of the most important lessons I learned through my work is that every person has the right to privacy and dignity. Before joining the project, I did not fully understand the importance of confidentiality. Today, I know that respecting peoples privacy is a fundamental part of supporting them." - Alaa

Her new role also earned her greater trust and acceptance within the community, allowing her to deliver awareness sessions and engage residents in conversations about protection and well-being that would once have been difficult to raise.

Making an impact
Alaa has since supported women, men and children across the camp, delivering awareness sessions on positive communication between spouses, positive parenting and preventing violence and neglect within families. She also supported women experiencing violence by informing them of the services available and encouraging them to seek help.

Through case management, vulnerable individuals are identified, assessed and referred to appropriate services. Where urgent protection concerns blocked access to essential support, Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) helped people meet critical needs, including healthcare. As a result, a number of vulnerable individuals were able to reach health facilities and receive care they had previously gone without, including diagnosis and treatment for long-standing conditions.

A safer community
According to Alaa, conditions in the camp have changed considerably since the start of the project. Community members are more aware of protection risks and of their shared responsibility for keeping families and children safe. Women and children are now less likely to travel alone, with neighbours encouraging safer group movement. Mothers are more aware of positive parenting approaches and the harm caused by violence and neglect, and vulnerable households have gained access to essential items that improved their living conditions, including safer sleeping arrangements for families who previously slept on the ground.

Alaa notes that protection awareness activities and referral mechanisms have also improved: vulnerable individuals are identified more effectively and connected more quickly to the services they need.

Looking ahead
Alaa’s story shows how equipping members of an affected community with the right skills and support can create lasting change. She moved from watching problems unfold around her to becoming part of the solution, helping protect vulnerable women, children and families in Khor Ajwal.

Through continued collaboration with community volunteers, Community-Based Protection Network (CBPN) members and local stakeholders, Acted remains committed to ensuring vulnerable individuals can access the support they need and build safer, more resilient futures.

*Name has been changed to protect the individual’s privacy.

Source: Acted