Stories
July 24, 2026 • 2 min read
For many women in rural Twic County, reaching skilled maternity care can mean overcoming long distances and difficult journeys. For Ajok Bol, access to a nearby health facility changed her childbirth experience, allowing her to receive professional care without travelling far from her home. With support from the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund, GOAL is helping strengthen local health services so more mothers can access safer deliveries and timely support when they need it most.
For 20-year-old Ajok Bol from Mading Village in Wunrok Payam, safe childbirth once meant travelling a considerable distance in search of skilled healthcare. When she became pregnant with her first child, the nearest place where she could access skilled maternity care was Mayen Abun. Although the journey was long and difficult, she chose to deliver there because she understood the importance of having trained health professionals present during childbirth.
“Delivering at a health facility is the best because trained midwives are there to help us if any complications happen during childbirth,” Ajok explains.
Like many women living in rural Twic County, Ajok faced challenges accessing maternal healthcare due to long distances, poor roads and limited transport options, particularly during the rainy season.
Bringing Maternal Care Closer to Communities
When Ajok became pregnant with her second child, her experience was different. Through the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF)-supported project implemented by GOAL, Titchok Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) was strengthened to provide essential primary healthcare and maternal health services closer to communities.
With skilled health workers, essential medicines and improved maternity services available at Titchok PHCU, Ajok no longer had to undertake a difficult journey to access safe delivery care. Instead, she was able to give birth safely closer to her home.
“I was very happy that I could deliver at Titchok because it is much closer to my home. I did not have to travel a long distance like before, and I received good care from the midwives and the medical team,” she says.
A Safer Future for Mothers and Newborns
For Ajok and other mothers in Twic County, access to skilled birth attendants within their communities provides reassurance during one of life’s most important moments. By supporting health facilities such as Titchok PHCU, GOAL is helping more women access timely maternal healthcare and reducing barriers that can put mothers and newborns at risk.
Today, Ajok encourages other expectant mothers to seek skilled care and deliver at health facilities.
“I encourage every pregnant woman to deliver at a health facility because it is safer for both the mother and the baby.” Ajok concluded.
