Unveiling Resilience: Dreams and Hope – The Inspirational Journey of Perina Nakang Lokure

“If you happened to have never contemplate life in complex society. I owe you SPORT. If you own the past that discomfort you. Let it go. Switch off the past. Starts imagining yourself a new story. And belief in yourself”

Enthusiastic and results-driven athlete with 6 years of experience in high growth field of athletes. skilled in leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving. Fluent in English, Arabic, Kiswahili and local mother togues. PERINA NAKANG LOKURE.

A former striker and a player of Kakuma stars, a team of girls which was formed to binds communities together; hosts and refugees respectively, a self-trained athlete. Winner of refugees’ championship tournament conducted by UNHCR to supports the young talented youths in the camp.

 Passionate about joining a dynamic team and contributing to the mission of Olympic. During her leisure, she likes jogging, reading, and helping in the community when there is communal work. Perina still wore mask of sport as a boon tool that can sparks economic, social and sustainable development goal for the nation.

There have been a low number of female athletes for so long in the camp of Kakuma, currently with new decades comes, young female with new hopes, strength and ability on field. Her name is Perina Nakang lokure.  A South Sudanese girl, who grew up in the Camp where 150,000 thousand of other refugees’ memories kept wander in an endless cycle of struggles. This is the camp where refugees; people like her with high demands huddled in abyss of psychological support. Kakuma’s lives is fraught to social clashes, Refugees strike, insecurity rate which prejudice humanity in mere. Besides all these happenings in the camp there is also a brighter tiny hole of hopes which helps her moves on with sports and other hobbies, amazingly she got inspired by her Kenyan mentor Janeth Jepkosgei a 800 meters champions marathoner.

With Global pandemic which have done more harm than good to every sector in the Republic of Kenya.  To Perina her aim of becoming an athlete was switched off! Especially having sport centers being shut down have chained doors to her. However, this swept away dreams of many youths like her who dreamed of being athletes to participate in an international Olympic, one day in the country where she took refuge in Kakuma Refugee Camp.

She got enrolled in first founded mother primary school here in the camp which was first built by the former lost boys from South Sudan, and other refugees from Ethiopia and Somali, since 1992 and the school was given a name as “unity primary school” as they believed that “in unity we stand divided we fall”, years later they rename it as Kakuma Refugee primary school. she later on graduated to high school nearby her former primary school. Starlight was the school that look promising her the many doors of being a person in society. when she doesn’t have any one responsible to take her to school she wished for.  There was a neighbor with small tv and people will crowd to watch the news. That was where she was inspired by her mentor Janeth Jepkosgei. From there onward she always wanted to be like Janeth. Currently with several hours in the field practicing long run. She finally got accepted to All for running shoe for Africa Kapchorwa secondary.  A school supports her interests and passions.

“If you happened to have never contemplate life in complex society. I owe you SPORT. If you own the past that discomfort you. Let it go. Switch off the past. Starts imagining yourself a new story. And belief in yourself”, says Perina. Camp is extremely packed with complexities. But it offers me a moon. Something more expensive than pearl in my village. Am bless with. And this left me something to call my own. My ability; with SPORT I’m willing to battle for. To develop my very continent Africa. 

And this can’t only happen by imagining it. Unless you are discipline. Allow your mind to spans ten times for education. For education itself cannot be passport to unlocked dreams. Yet a third quarter of the girls worldwide lives in remote areas that didn’t have access to electricity, standard health facilities and quality education system.

Since childhood I used to engage by playing kids’ games like any other child and competing in race, was my hobby. As my country was in civil war with herself. My Friends and I scattered the country. I lost my allies. I miss my teachers. Internal violence has had changed the wheel of my country’s prosperity. I watch our neighbor’s house set to flame including granaries while girls and women got abducted. Boys and men take off their cloaks to the intruders. Now it’s gone. 

Having stayed for a decade in the Camp paint conglomeration of hope. But surge generation to poverty, unemployment and employability. Everything went like clockwork. Like bumps and humps. Camping is equivalent to hell and I felt like burnout. Kakuma is international complex society. A society that comprises of dim and bright future.’’ Says Perina as joyous smile brimmed over her face. 

With inadequate basic needs supplies in the camp. A REFUgenius Perina was fraught to difficulties and worse of all. For Perina the only thing that left for her now is constant records in childhood race. Meaning education can fuel hope, energy and luminous careers. Even in new atmosphere after she met arduous tasks. With all of her childhood experiences in the kitchen. From plains to mountains. From village square to sloppy areas does SPORT. Sport is everything to her.  It has power to ignites, soothes soul and inspire the fates of young people.

Regardless of haunting mares and circumstances she went through. Perina still wore mask of sport as a boon tool that can sparks economic, social and political aspects for the nation.  In 2021, Perina teams up with three males in Kakuma Refugee Camp and founded DUA FOUNDATION. Dare. Unite. Aid (DUA). A charity non-profit organization that apt to equips young people with mentorship, Digital skills, promotes cross-cultural interactions and nurture youths’ talents. Besides her lonely and tedious practices, hoping one day she will make it on the stage of Olympic. She never loses hope of helping her society, people around her and anybody who is in need of help. She does this through full participation in the DUA FOUNDATION. Where she serves as deputy chair person in the organization.

Those were memories that kept her going through arduous journeys. On this basis the inspiring athletes uses the power of sport for protection. To delegates for legal protection, promotion and restoration of human dignity. She is very respectful, kind, and a great fighter for what she believes in. through SPORT the abandoned fields can be turn to sport grounds, orphans’ can be great athletes. Scholarship of sport can be many like promise almighty God give to father of Nation. This is her thought of Sport. What of you!!

Written By Simon Lokwang

The Inspirational Journey of Perina Nakang Lokure:

• A Beacon of Hope in Kakuma: Perina Nakang Lokure, a South Sudanese girl, grew up amidst the challenges of Kakuma Refugee Camp. Despite the social clashes, insecurity, and psychological struggles prevalent in the camp, Perina found hope and purpose through sports. Inspired by her Kenyan mentor, Janeth Jepkosgei, Perina’s dream of becoming an athlete never wavered, even in the face of global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Achievements and Aspirations: As a self-trained athlete and former striker for Kakuma Stars, Perina’s dedication to sports led her to win the Refugees’ Championship Tournament organized by UNHCR. Her passion extends beyond personal achievements; she aims to join a dynamic team and contribute to the mission of the Olympics, seeing sports as a catalyst for economic, social, and sustainable development.
• Educational Pursuits: Education played a crucial role in Perina’s journey. From Unity Primary School, founded by former Lost Boys of South Sudan, to Starlight High School, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of knowledge and excellence. Her acceptance into All for Running Shoe for Africa Kapchorwa Secondary School further fueled her passion for athletics.
• Overcoming Adversities: Life in Kakuma was not easy. Perina faced numerous challenges, including inadequate supplies and the trauma of her homeland’s civil war. However, her resilience and belief in the power of sports kept her moving forward. She views sports as a means to ignite hope, soothe souls, and inspire young people to pursue their dreams.
• Community Engagement and DUA Foundation: In 2021, Perina co-founded DUA Foundation (Dare. Unite. Aid), a charity non-profit organization aimed at equipping young people with mentorship, digital skills, and cross-cultural interactions. As deputy chairperson, she remains committed to nurturing youth talents and promoting human dignity through sports.

Lessons from Perina’s Journey:

• Embracing Resilience: Perina’s story is a testament to the power of resilience. Despite numerous hardships, her unwavering determination highlights the importance of staying strong and hopeful in the face of adversity.
• The Power of Sports: Sports can be a transformative force, providing a sense of purpose, community, and personal growth. Perina’s journey underscores how sports can help individuals overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.
• Community and Education: Education and community support are vital for personal development. Perina’s involvement in educational institutions and her role in DUA Foundation demonstrate the impact of community engagement and continuous learning.

Conclusion: Perina Nakang Lokure’s inspiring journey from Kakuma Refugee Camp to aspiring Olympian showcases the transformative power of resilience, dreams, and hope. Through sports, education, and community involvement, Perina continues to make a significant impact, proving that even in the most challenging circumstances, determination and passion can lead to remarkable achievements.