Reporting often includes trying out new experiences in order to get an informed opinion on certain matters. I had the opportunity to try a local brew called marisa made by the South Sudanese in the refugee settlements. Locals told me it was made out of sorghum so I assumed it would look and taste like the traditional beer in my home country Zimbabwe which is called chibuku. But what came out of the giant metal pot was a pungent clear spirit – a far cry from the thick creamy pink traditional beer I knew from home. So my curiosity was peaked and I had to have a taste. I don’t drink on the job but in this case I needed to know just exactly what was this concoction. It turned out marisa was quite strong and lead to the development of an interesting and unexpected story about alcohol abuse in the refugee settlements.

Photo: Tendai Marima