YAMBIO— Everyone at Yambio Central Prison knows her by one name: Mama Jennifer.
While not her official title, it carries deep meaning as it demonstrates the trust, compassion, and respect she has earned from both prison officers and inmates since beginning her deployment as a Corrections Advisor with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
For Jennifer Mwema, peacekeeping is both a duty and a calling. Each day, she works towards strengthening the rule of law, promoting humane treatment, and supporting a correctional system that upholds national regulations and international human rights standards.
Originally from Kenya, Jennifer’s journey to South Sudan is remarkable. A journalist by training, she also earned a master’s degree in public policy. In 2010, encouraged by her father, she joined the Kenya Prison Service—leaving behind the media to pursue a passion for rehabilitation and transformation within correctional institutions.
“I love engaging with people and seeing lives change,” she reflects. “As a corrections officer, my role is to rehabilitate human beings. Every life changed within the prisons makes a difference.”
Jennifer joined UNMISS in November 2023. Her first posting was in Malakal, Upper Nile State, where she faced various challenges, including language barriers and communication with vulnerable inmates. One of the most difficult moments came during tribal clashes last year, when insecurity made her question whether she could continue her mission.
“It was scary,” she recalls. “But that’s why we’re here—to help in post-conflict situations. We remained because we want the best for South Sudan.”
Earlier this year, Jennifer was redeployed to Yambio in Western Equatoria State, where she now works closely with the National Prison Service. Her responsibilities include prison monitoring, mentoring, and capacity building to ensure facilities comply with national laws and international standards such as the Nelson Mandela, Bangkok, and Havana Rules. She advocates for improved conditions, professional practices, and partner support to strengthen the corrections system.
But her impact extends beyond policies. Inmates started calling her “Mama Jennifer” because she listens, mentors, and inspires hope.
“When they call me Mama, it shows respect and trust,” she says. “It means they see me as someone who cares. Restoring hope makes all the difference.”
Her family has been a pillar of support when, as a wife and mother of three boys, deploying to a post-conflict country was not easy.
“Of course, there’s separation anxiety,” she admits. “But my family understood how important this mission was to me. Their support made it possible.”
Jennifer describes her experience in South Sudan as transformative.
“I expected a bit of a cultural shock, but instead, I felt surprisingly comfortable,” she explains. “South Sudan is a beautiful country with resilient people who wake up every day with hope. Having seen the positive sides the world rarely sees, I consider them my brothers and sisters.”
Throughout her work, Jennifer has trained officers, improved inmate nutrition through farming initiatives, and helped create safe, humane correctional environments that build public confidence in the justice system. She also conducts outreach programs in schools to guide young people away from paths that could lead to imprisonment, contributing to community-level prevention.
Her vision for South Sudan is clear:
“I want to see a day when children go to school safely, and parents work at their farms without fear. I hope people can wake up and enjoy their tea at home—not in the bush or in displacement camps—but in peace.”
For Jennifer, peacekeeping is more than a deployment. It’s a mission to leave a lasting impact—one prison, one officer, one inmate at a time.
By Denis Louro/UNMISS
