Mary Konga, 75, said her son, who is also the father of a primary-six schoolgirl, is planning to take his daughter to the village for possible marriage.

She added that her elder son she identified as Lo Kuron called her early this month saying he wanted to take his daughter back to the village.

The man abandoned the child when she was a baby.

The grandmother ever since took the responsibility for the girl for the last 14 years including paying her in school.

Konga said she went to the village after her husband died and hoped that she would meet her son, but he was said to be in a remote area near the DRC the border.

She told Eye Radio that her son is reportedly living in the remote village of Lasu Payam, about 30 kilometers from Yei town.

“I am taking care of my son’s daughter. She was left with me at a very young age. I took care of her and registered her in the nursery, and now she is in primary six. She is fourteen years old.” Mary Konga told Eye Radio in an interview.

“I want the government to help me because my son wants to come and take the girl by force, what can I do?” Mary asked for help.  

According to Mary, her granddaughter whom Eye Radio has withheld her name because she is a minor is currently in Primary six.

The young girl has been under the guidance and care of her grandmother, Mary Konga for the last 14 years.

The elderly woman said she wants her granddaughter to study but fears that if it takes her to the village, her education may be interrupted.

“I came to you here because I want advice about an issue that pains me and is disturbing my mind.”

“Whenever I enquire about him [Lo Kuron], I am told that he is in the countryside. I went to Yei for the funeral of their father, but I did not see him, I was told that he is in a remote area near the border of DRC.” She revealed.

Konga told Eye Radio that she sells tomatoes, onions, and other spices to put food on the table for her family.

She also uses part of the money to pay the school fees of her 14-year-old granddaughter.

Despite facing economic hardship, Mary said she is struggling daily to ensure that her family is sustained.

“I do not have enough money and sometimes we have no food, but I struggled daily to make sure that I pay her school fees.”

“This year in March, my son, her father called me by phone to tell me that he wants his daughter back. since he left the child with me, he does not call, he does not help me at all, not even greeting us.”

According to his mother, Lo Kuron is reportedly living in the remote village of Lasu Payam, about 30 kilometers from Yei town.

“Now I want you to give me some advice about what I should do. If this young child is taken there, she will lose her education and she may even be forced to get married.”

“I want my parents to also share with me their words of encouragement; I am helpless now.

“The government can help me too, I am now helpless, and if anyone also wants to help me with the girl’s education that is fine.” She added.

Efforts to get a comment from Lo Kuron were not immediately successful.