Stories
November 6, 2025 • 2 min read
When Victoria Kiden was born in a refugee settlement during the COVID-19 pandemic, her parents struggled to access basic health services, leaving her unvaccinated and at risk of preventable diseases. Through the REACH project, GOAL South Sudan and its partners identified Victoria as a zero-dose child and helped her begin her immunization journey. Health workers reached her family in Kajo Keji, educated them on the benefits of vaccination, and ensured she received all her required doses.
The REACH Project, implemented by GOAL South Sudan in partnership with the IRC, TADO, HFO, and ACROSS, is a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) that supports South Sudan’s national immunisation efforts.
Aligned with the Immunisation Agenda (IA) and GAVI Strategy, the project aims to reach zero-dose and under-immunised children in hard-to-reach and returnee communities, ensuring that every child has access to life-saving vaccines.
A Child at Risk in a Time of Crisis
Born in Palorinya Refugee Settlement in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic, Victoria Kiden faced many barriers to receiving healthcare. Her parents, displaced by conflict in South Sudan, lived far from functioning health facilities. The pandemic exacerbated the situation, as movement restrictions, fear of infection, and strained health systems severely limited outreach activities.
As a result, Victoria remained unvaccinated and vulnerable to diseases like measles, malaria, and polio. “I spent a lot of money treating my child in clinics because hospitals were far from where we lived. I was worried because some of my neighbours’ lost children to deadly but preventable diseases,” Poni Celina, Victoria’s mother, recalled.
In July 2024, the family decided to return to Kajo Keji County in South Sudan. But with limited knowledge about immunisation and distant health facilities, they feared Victoria might never receive her vaccines. “It was hard at the beginning because health facilities were far away. I was worried about my child. What if she got ill at night? Where would I go?” Poni Celina said.
Bringing Health Services Closer to Families
Through the REACH project, GOAL South Sudan and its partners began mapping and identifying zero-dose children in returnee and hard-to-reach communities like Kajo Keji. Working closely with Boma Health Workers and community leaders, the team found Victoria’s family and shared information about the importance of immunisation.
“After attending an immunisation health education session organised by GOAL, I understood how important vaccines are for my child’s health. I made sure she would get every vaccine she needed,” Poni Celina shared.
On August 9, 2024, Victoria received her first doses of Oral Polio (OPV1), Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT1), Measles-Containing Vaccine (MCV), and the Malaria Vaccine. She was enrolled in the vaccination program and given a vaccination card to track her subsequent doses. Despite challenges such as poor road conditions and local insecurity, vaccinators followed up consistently to ensure she completed her schedule.
A Healthy Child, A Stronger Community
Today, Victoria is a lively and healthy five-year-old, fully immunised and protected against preventable diseases. “Because of the efforts of GOAL, I feel relieved knowing that my daughter is protected from deadly diseases such as malaria, measles, and polio,” Poni Celina said with gratitude.
Her experience has inspired her to become an advocate for immunisation in her village, encouraging other mothers to vaccinate their children.
