Education South Sudan Project #44921

Educating Girl Groups in South Sudan

by Girls With Books!

Project Report | Mar 15, 2026
Salma's Story: A Second Chance at Childhood

By Micklina Kenyi | Executive Director

Salma taking notes in the classroom

Dear Supporters of Girls With Books!

Let me tell you the story of one of our newest students.

This year, Girls With Books! (GWB!) increased the number of girls we are supporting to 150 students, expanding opportunities for more girls to return to school and build brighter futures.

Salma is one of those girls. When we first met the 14-year-old, she was not in a classroom. Instead, she was working as a housemaid to help support her family. Like many girls growing up in vulnerable communities, her childhood had been replaced with long days of labor, leaving little room for education or dreams of a different future.

The woman Salma worked for began to notice something special in her. She saw intelligence, potential and a child who deserved more than survival, she deserved opportunity. Wanting to give Salma a chance. She approached Salma’s parents with the hope of sending her back home so she could enroll in school.

But instead of welcoming the idea, her parents decided to arrange for her immediate marriage, at 14 years of age, enabling them to collect a dowry. At that critical moment, everything could have changed for Salma, and not for the better.

We offered to pay for Salma’s education convinced of her courage and potential. Today, she is no longer defined by domestic labor or the threat of forced marriage. She is defined by her determination to learn, to grow, and to build a future of her own choosing.

Salma is now a student, surrounded by mentors and a community that believes in her. She is discovering her voice, her confidence, and her future. Salma’s journey reminds us why Girls With Books! exists - to stand in the gap at critical moments, to protect girls’ rights to education, and to ensure that their futures are shaped by dreams, not limitations.

With gratitude,

Micklina Kenyi,
Executive Director

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Nov 14, 2025
GWB! Skills For Success: Beyond the Classroom

By Micklina Kenyi | Executive Director

Skills for Success is a success!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We’re excited to share the incredible success of Girls With Books!’ first ever Skills for Success class, a milestone program designed to help our graduates transition from school to the professional world with confidence and purpose.

What We Achieved

The class brought together 16 young women, all proud high school graduates of the Girls With Books! program. Over the course of three months, they achieved 100% attendance, an evidence to their dedication and determination to learn.

The students gained hands-on skills in:

Microsoft Office and internet literacy
Resume writing and job interview preparation
Workplace professionalism and success strategies
Community engagement and leadership development

At the graduation ceremony, one student shared, “We girls of South Sudan are still in darkness because many girls out there lack this opportunity of acquiring computer skills.” Her words are a powerful reminder of why our work matters, because education and access to technology create opportunities that can change lives.

Impact and Growth

We are incredibly proud of these 16 graduates who are now stepping into the world with new skills, confidence, and vision for their futures. The enthusiasm generated by this first class has already inspired 30 new students to register for the next session. To meet this growing demand, we are introducing two sessions, morning and afternoon, so that every motivated learner can participate, despite our limited space.

What’s Next

This program marks just the beginning of a broader effort to equip young women in South Sudan with the tools they need to thrive as leaders, professionals, and changemakers. With your continued support, we will expand Skills for Success to reach even more girls, ensuring they not only complete their education but also gain the practical skills to build meaningful futures.

Thank you for believing in the power of education and standing with Girls With Books! as we help young women in South Sudan rise and lead with strength and hope.

With gratitude,

Micklina Kenyi

Girls learning the power of the Internet!

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Jul 16, 2025
GWB! Our new Skills for Success Program

By Micklina Kenyi | Executive Director

Students after Day One of Skills for Success

“We came here to build skills, but we’re leaving with sisterhood for life”

Excited anticipation fills the room. Most of the young women gathered have never actually used a computer before. Now they look forward to three months of daily classes to learn and practice, not only on a computer, but with high-speed internet access. All twelve are high school graduates, having completed their course of study with the help of Girls With Books! (GWB!).

What a milestone, not only for Girls With Books!, but also for these young women. This year GWB! opened its Women Center in Juba, South Sudan, and in May, we launched our new Skills for Success Program, designed to equip young women—especially our dedicated high school alumni—with tools for long-term independence and self-sufficiency. The Women Center is now a vibrant hub where GWB! alumni come together to learn, grow, develop a lifelong friendship and build a brighter future.

What the new Women Center offers:

Students/Participants – now have access to computer training.
Reliable, High-Speed Internet – ensuring seamless access to online learning, job resources and scholarship searches.
Goal-Oriented Mentorship – guiding each student through resume writing, interview preparation, career development and more.
College Readiness Tools – including support in applying for scholarships and navigating higher education opportunities.

Beyond learning, something even more beautiful is taking place: friendships are blossoming. As one students shared, “We came here to build skills, but we’re leaving with sisterhood for life."

All of this program happens in a welcoming, safe, and encouraging environment where girls can uplift and support each other through shared learning, laughter, and growth.

If you like what’s happening in Juba, please help us keep it going! You can make a donation, right now, through GlobalGiving. Young women are eager to learn, to become leaders in their community and to build a better future. You can help them do that!

Thank you for your help. Together we’re making a difference!

Report submitted by Micklina Kenyi, Executive Director, GWB!

Cesear, the instructor, explains the lesson

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