For nearly two decades, Ajoba* has stood at the frontlines of care in Abyei, quietly protecting generations of children from deadly but preventable diseases.
A vaccinator for over 19 years with the State Ministry of Health, and now working with Save the Children, Ajoba has dedicated her life to one simple but powerful mission: keeping every child and mother safe through vaccination and health care.
Through the Mobile Clinic, Ajoba’s days are spent moving between communities, sometimes traveling long distances by car or on foot reaching conflict affected families in remote areas who might otherwise go without care. From Abyei to Miakol, Difra, Gol and beyond, her journey is not always easy but reaching the most vulnerable where access to essential medical care is limited, because for Ajoba, this work is deeply personal.
“As a mother, grandmother and elder in my community, I love showing kindness and care to children, infants, and pregnant mothers. That is what gives me confidence in my work.” She says
Between January 2025 to March 2026, Ajoba and her team through the Mobile Clinic in Abyei have vaccinated over 18,000 children and mothers.
Today, she continues to vaccinate dozens more every month and she keeps sharing the good message of Vaccines Work & Save Lives.
But behind these numbers are stories of trust. Mothers wait for her. They call her by a special name “Ajobadit” a sign of respect to community champions.
“Mothers trust my hands, they tell me they feel hopeful because vaccines protect their children from sickness. They come back again and again, never missing appointments.” She added
That trust didn’t come overnight. It was built through years of care, consistency, and reassurance especially in places where fear and misinformation about vaccines exist.
With training and support from Save the Children, Ajoba has also grown in confidence, strengthening her skills and improving the quality of care she provides.
“We explain that vaccines are safe and tested. They protect millions of lives every year, when people understand this, they believe in what we do and it is the message we carry.” She explains
Today, with funding from ECHO, Ajoba and her team have helped vaccinate over 95% of children during measles campaigns in underserved areas of Abyei targeting the host community, IDPs, refugees and returnees.
Yet she knows the work is not finished.
“Many families are still out there, unprotected. With continued support, we can reach them before disease does. This support is not just funding, it is saving lives.” She added
“Vaccines are Safe, they bring HOPE. Hope that a mother will not lose her baby to a preventable disease & that is why I love my job” she emphasized
On this World Vaccination Day, Ajoba’s story is a reminder that vaccines do more than prevent illness, they bring hope, hope that communities, even in the most remote and conflict affected areas, can thrive.
And for Ajoba, that hope is what keeps her going.