Twenty people joined the "Be-A-Brother" program last November, but now more than 100 are engaged in the community driven initiative. It speaks to participants through a short-film, social media, and text reminders about responsible drinking - usually at strategic times like Friday evenings.
Now 22, Autiak Aweteek was one of the first to sign-up last November. He began drinking at the age of 12 and says for the best part of a decade, his life was spiralling out of control.
“Drink, drink, drink - then when the liquor kicks in look for an excuse, getting in trouble with the police, getting involved in fights –brawls,” he said.
He says the guidance from leaders and mentors, some of whom have also experienced problems with alcohol abuse proved influential in discouraging his excessive drinking.
Ez Eldin Deng. Source: SBS
“The name says it all - they're like the big brothers you know what I mean?
It makes things look possible and the fact that some of them have been through they can relate to our stories as well it makes us think that's possible,” he said.
Program mentor Ez Eldin Deng wrote and produced the "Be-A-Brother" short film and agrees the involvement of leaders and mentors from within the community has proven to be crucial.
“The older one knows the younger one drinks so now they started talking to them calmly so they find what is it missing - the link,” he said
Mr Deng says the program is an example of the South Sudanese community driving change from within and changing and raising expectations.
“I want to see politicians I want to see bankers. I want to see people who can manage to create change from within our community,” he said.
In the short term though, the program's success is perhaps best measured by Autiak Aweteek's transformation and this remarkable confession.
“My last birthday - the 22-birthday is the first birthday I haven't been arrested since my 13th birthday,” he said.
