Church Missionary Project in South Sudan Inspires Girls
A church missionary Project in South Sudan inspires Girls to go to schools.
By Thiik-awet,
Aweil, SOUTH SUDAN
Schoolgirls in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal say they're going to school is openly being tempered with by their parents for being sources of wealth as they are being treated like house-girls rather than being children of their biological parents.
In a going back to school campaign held in Aweil East County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state (district) in South Sudan this week, majority of schoolgirls expressed their concerns for not being equally allowed to go schools like their fellow boys.
These girls say they have been restricted from participating in school activities like their brothers (siblings). However, some girls who have been fortunate to go to schools to GO! Sponsored schools where there are no such restrictions, call for equal education opportunity for children regardless of their gender status though this seems yet to be adopted and incorporated in the South Sudan’s constitution.
Ajok Bol, aged 15, who studies at Lueth-wek Orphanage school says the girls have persevered at hard times to make sure that they are adopted into the family though they feel being discriminated against. She says she is among the few lucky ones who have been admitted at Lueth-wek to study and to receive nutritional assistance.
“We have suffered lots of times where our rights are being openly denied by our parents. Like not going to school or being forced to marry old ones or those we don’t like. But at least we are now blessed and will be praying for other sisters who are still going through these hard times,” She laments.
Global Orphan Relief (GO!) in collaboration with Christ Mission to the World (CMW) establishes feeding centres at village schools to provide meals to orphan children and have inspired a girl education campaign where parents are urged to allow their girls to go to school.
Some of the girls that attend GO! sponsored school in Lueth-wek Village.
Though this project aims at admitting vulnerable children especially the orphans, many girls with determination and bright performance have been admitted into these schools and hence paves way for boosting girl education campaigns in the state.
Nevertheless, the campaign has been a national thematic project for years, few have seen it excelling to the next level and hence becomes challenging to fully implement at every school or household.
At Lueth-wek, there are newly admitted girls who travel some miles away from their villages to come and join the GO!! sponsored school. They say they're joining because their peer groups (colleagues) have told them how they have been impacted in their lives. The come to learn and to build themselves up both spiritually and physically.
In most parts of South Sudan, early and forced marriages are the biggest challenges which are ruining chances for girl child education as they risk being removed from schools and married off to any potential suiters who can meet family’s dowry demands.
In most parts of South Sudan, food security is an issue for children, and especially for orphan children who may have no advocate. Dowry, Bola, or sometimes called Bride’s price, continues to be an issue in many communities throughout Africa, however, things are changing for the better.
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We have served in South Sudan since 2016 and have provided an estimated 1.3 million meals impacting more than 3,200 children in South Sudan. The scale of this initiative has grown by over 7 times since our launch in 2016, and this growth is driven by the near-famine conditions and other socio-economic challenges in this country.
In cooperation with two partners, Kids for the Kingdom & Christ Mission to the World, there has been $130,000 invested in these three school sites since October 2020. This investment provides for clean water, kitchens, storerooms, and latrines, all which allows for cost-effective distribution of food aid in these communities.
About the author Thiik-awet, he is a freelance journalist, blogger, writer and media activist based in Aweil, Northern Bahr El Ghazal State of South Sudan. His academic background includes multiple certificates and degrees to include a Bachelor of Education in English language and literature.
Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work through local in-country partners that provide oversight and distribution of care.
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at 2022 South Sudan Nutrition or you may give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’ and choosing Nutrition under the Fund designation.
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Global Orphan Relief is a Christian relief agency serving Orphans in need and a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.