After years of civil war, South Sudan reached a peace agreement in 2018 and has since begun work to rebuild its infrastructure. Slowly those displaced by the violence and living in refugee camps have started to return to South Sudan. Still the country is fraught with gang violence, tensions and clashes. Working in the four states: Jubek, Gogrial, Eastern Lakes and, more recently in the Upper Nile, DMI’s programs focus on rebuilding communities by addressing the long-term as well as immediate needs to address poverty, gender-based violence, illiteracy, and food insecurity and hunger. In spite of the challenges and threats, DMI continues its development activities with the commitment to bringing lasting changes in the lives of the South Sudanese.

SUSTAINABLE FARMING 
About 85% of farmers in South Sudan are women. Many are illiterate and lack the skills and equipment to sustain and grow their farming business. First, DMI staff facilitate and organize smallholder farmers into associations. The associations, governed by bylaws, provide a decision-making structure, so that the associations can be peer led. Within this structure, the Village Saving and Loan Association program is incorporated so that they can not only learn sustainable farming methods, but adopt best practices in both farming and business management. Since the inception of the program, overall agricultural productivity has increased ensuring that rural farmers have food on their tables and surplus to sell.

EDUCATION
DMI constructs community schools in refugee camps to encourage and enable community participation in improving access to quality education and safety for rural poor children. They also run a teacher training institute, recruiting young teachers from catchment areas to work as resource teachers. The resource teachers ensure that children receive a quality education by adopting effective teaching methods and practices to support child learning and improve academic performance.

WOMEN AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS 
DMI provides short-term and long-term vocational training and entrepreneurship development training to women and youth which enable them to become employed or self-employed to earn a regular income so that they can support themselves and their families. DMI provides vocational training for youth by offering skills training in cosmetology, tailoring, motorbike repair work, masonry, electrical installation and repairs, and plumbing. In addition, they work within communities to raise awareness about gender equality in an effort to prevent gender discrimination and gender-based violence. DMI also promotes inter-community peace among the youth through sports. 

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE & PEACE PROGRAM
DMI provides relief services like primary health care, and mental health support for families living in refugee camps. They also offer nutrition, supplementary food, and medications to address malnourishment and improve the well-being of children and pregnant women. In addition, they work to create employment opportunities for the young boys and girls camps through vocational training. Gender-based violence is prevalent, especially in the camps. DMI promotes peace and reconciliation in refugee camps by encouraging adults and youth to join peace and reconciliation committees.