John Lokonga, 20, speaking to Eye Radio on Wednesday, 25th Oct 2023. Photo credit: Charles Wote/Eye Radio.

Meet John Lokonga, a 20-year-old South Sudanese who wants to study Journalism to become the voice of homeless children in the country.

At the age of 3, Lokonga was brought to Juba Orphanage Home as his grandmother was unable to take care of him.

He became an orphan after the death of his parents in 2006 and grew up in an orphanage centre.

Lokonga hustles as a part-time radio drama producer and sometimes works at construction sites to put food on the table.

The inspiring journalist was among the over 50,000 senior four candidates who sat for the 2022 Certificate of Secondary Education Examination.

The former Juba Commercial student scored a total of 82.6% in the exams.

While S2, Lokonga was trained in basic journalism by Search for Common Ground in 2020 which he learned and produced radio dramas.

Speaking to Eye Radio in Juba on Wednesday, October 25, he said he aspires to become a journalist but lacks the support.

“I want to become a journalist to bring up the voices of children in the streets,” Lokonga said.

The 20-year-old young man appealed to well-wishers to support him in studying Journalism to become the voice of homeless children in the country.

“My plan is to become a journalist if I find someone who will support me, I will study journalism. I want to study journalism because I want to know what is happening in the country,” said Lokonga.

“I always ask why journalists are not given their space because if journalists are given their space, they will be able to bring up voices and the rights of people at the grassroots,” he said.

Juba Orphanage Home was established in 1962 by the then Sudan government and has since discharged thousands of orphans who have reached an adult stage.

The centre currently hosts about 80 orphans who were either abandoned by their parents or found unattended on the streets.

It provides accommodation, feeding, education as well as parental care, and other personal needs for homeless children.