This month, human rights and refugee advocates Giel Malual and John Kuei completed a 33-day, 800-mile walk across the UK, from Dungeness Beach in the south of England to Duncansby Head in northern Scotland. In this article, we hear why they chose to take on such a huge challenge, and what it means for us here in Scotland.
They called the walk The Long Walk of Freedom for Sudan; a journey through winter roads, with tired bodies facing brutal weather, in solidarity with Sudanese civilians living through the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Despite the highest levels of forced displacement and widespread famine, the crisis in Sudan has often slipped from headlines and public attention, but Giel and John are helping put the crisis back on the map.
The motivation behind the walk
Right now in Sudan, 33 million people need humanitarian aid, 21 million face dire famine, and 10 million children are out of school. The UN estimates only half may ever return. For families forced to flee to neighbouring countries like Chad, safety often still means uncertainty, hunger, and no access to education. Giel and John walked with these families in mind, especially children.
“The long walk of freedom for Sudan is deeply personal to me which is why choosing this time of year is important, first to put myself in the shoes of Sudanese children and feel a fraction of their day-to-day struggle due to the war and hundreds of miles they had to walk to find safety. It is a walk of souls’ connection.” Giel Malual
A campaign that grew legs
The campaign initially aimed to raise £35,000 to build one primary school in Chad. The response far exceeded expectations. Through donations, events, and awareness-raising that reached over 10 million people, the campaign has now raised over £100,000. That means:
- One school for displaced children in Chad
- Two additional schools in neighbouring countries hosting Sudanese refugees
What started as a single act of solidarity has become access to education for children across multiple countries, transforming lives in the process.
An encounter with Scottish solidarity
As they arrived in Scotland, Giel and John were warmly welcomed by local communities. In Edinburgh, they connected with the Sudanese community, and in Inverness, they shared a meal with the African Caribbean Asian Mixed Heritage Association (ACAMHA) community, alongside its founder Mya Chemonges Murzynowska, who also sits on SIDA’s board of trustees, and Hannah Clyne, SIDA’s Humanitarian and Global Citizenship Officer.
“John and Giel’s actions have had an impact on so many lives, and I speak from my own experience. It takes a few people to change the world, one step at a time, one act of kindness at a time,” -Mya.
These moments highlighted that solidarity isn’t just about statements, it’s about relationships, connection, supporting and being led by people with lived experience of conflict and forced displacement.
What this means for Scotland
As Sudan’s conflict passes 1,000 days, Giel and John’s walk reminds us that solidarity doesn’t stop when a walk ends or a fundraising target is met. It means paying attention when media coverage fades, listening to Sudanese and South Sudanese voices with lived experience and educating local communities in Scotland on global justice.
Giel, a survivor of ethnic cleansing of the Nuer people, now works with the organisation Asylum Speakers to amplify refugee voices. When we asked him what his message is for Kier Starmer and other decision makers in the UK and Scotland, it was clear:
“I would love it if they take a pragmatic approach… which would include an arms embargo on Sudan entirely, on all sides. Sanctions on all the gold that is getting out of Sudan and more humanitarian support for the civilian population to survive.” -Giel.
Giel also shared a message for civil society in Scotland:
“I would urge everyone who has heard of Sudan to want to know more and take part in initiatives like the Long Walk for Freedom that are shedding light on the situation, and most importantly emphasising education for the children of Sudan. It would be amazing if people could take action in solidarity and support for these causes. It would mean a lot.”
From solidarity to action
For our network at SIDA and wider communities in Scotland, there are clear ways to respond to Giel’s message:
- Learn and share: Bring Sudan into events, classrooms, campaigns, and conversations
- Platform lived experience: Work with speakers and diaspora leaders to connect global crises to local communities
- Support education in emergencies: Support initiatives that protect children’s right to learn, even in displacement
- Advocate: Use your voice as organisations, networks, and individuals to push for humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and long-term peace
SIDA has 14 members working with partners in Sudan – you can find out more and support their work here – Explore our members – Scotland’s International Development Alliance
Giel and John have walked 800 miles to make sure Sudan is not forgotten. The question for us as a community is simple: How will we stand in solidarity? As Mya reflected following the meal shared with John and Giel:
“Everything has a domino effect. I call on organisations, policy makers, you, to play your part. Let us restore hope in a world that is wounded, and help give hope to those facing uncertainty.”
