07/09/2026
Happy 1st Anniversary to ! 💛📚
Exactly one year ago, I never could have imagined the beautiful, life-changing community that would grow from a simple conversation and a shared longing for connection.
After moving to South Sudan in the middle of last year, I found myself craving to join an inclusive space filled with like-minded individuals who love books as much as I do — a place where we could gather, exchange stories, and grow together. When I shared this desire with a new friend from (South Sudanese on X) who I met during a kickboxing training, she opened up about her own quiet frustration: after more than three years in Juba, she still hadn’t found such a community. In that moment, the words just came out of me: “Why don’t we start our own book club then?”
And just like that, PaperTrails was born.
We set our first meeting for the 6th of September 2025 at Acacia Village. We invited three other friends, asked everyone to bring a book, and decided we would simply begin. What started as five women sitting around a table has blossomed into a sisterhood of over 50 incredible ladies.
This past year has been pure joy. Every monthly gathering has been a gift — rich conversations about the books we’ve chosen, the laughter, the vulnerability, the gentle support, and the deep learning we offer one another. Beyond the pages, we’ve built real friendships, held space for each other through life’s seasons, and created a safe, warm circle where every woman is seen and valued.
To every single member of this sisterhood: thank you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing your hearts, for recommending books that expanded our minds, and for making PaperTrails feel like home. I am endlessly grateful for the love, wisdom, and light each of you brings. This community is one of the greatest blessings of my life in Juba, and I hold it — and all of you — so dearly.
Looking ahead, I’m filled with excitement for what’s next. Here’s to even more meaningful reads, deeper connections, new members who will feel instantly welcome, and continued growth — both as readers and as women supporting one another. The story of PaperTrails is still being written, and I can’t wait to turn the next pages with all of you.
Happy Anniversary to us, to this beautiful sisterhood, and to the magic that happens when women come together over books.
With so much love and gratitude,
Here’s to many more years of PaperTrails 💛📚
