Educating Girl Groups in South Sudan

How does a young girl like Amama become involved with a group like Girls With Books!? Let me share her story which highlights the impact your generosity has on the lives of South Sudanese girls. In 2017 Dr. Lawrence Wongo (GWB! Board member) and I interviewed prospective students at the Bidi Bidi refugee camp in Northern Uganda. Amama, a sweet 9-year-old girl stood, quietly observing as we spoke to older girls nearby. She didn't understand what we were discussing, but her curiosity was evident. Later, when I visited her tukul (a traditional hut), I found her alone, too shy to respond to my greeting. I asked her where her parents were. She said her mother had gone to fetch water, and she wasn’t sure where her father was. I then asked if she was in school, and she softly replied, “No, I am not in school.” Why are you not in school I asked, but she did not answer. I followed up by asking if she wanted to attend, to which she eagerly said, “Yes, I want to go to school!” When I asked why, she simply answered, “Because I want to learn and play with my friends.”

Moved by her quiet determination, we added Amama to the list of girls to receive educational support through Girls With Books! Amama, like so many girls, longed for a childhood filled with learning and friendships. Today, she is thriving and preparing for Uganda’s Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), an essential milestone that marks the completion of primary education. With dreams of becoming a nurse, she is already thinking about how she can give back to her community and be a leader in South Sudan.

At Girls With Books!, our mission is to ensure that girls like Amama have the chance to attend school, receive a quality education, and feel safe in their learning environment. We aim to equip them with the knowledge and skills to compete in the workforce, develop critical life skills to adapt to a changing world, make empowered decisions about their futures, and contribute meaningfully to their families, communities, and the world.

Amama’s story demonstrates the profound impact that your financial support makes. With that support, we are able to change the future for girls in South Sudan and in the refugee camps in Northern Uganda. Here is how your support will help us reach our 2024 budget of $200,000. The average cost per student for a year of education is $1,000. This helps us pay for tuition, room, and board, bedding & dormitory supplies, clothing, and when needed, transportation to and from school during school breaks.

You have my deepest gratitude for your ongoing financial support, which has enabled us to make significant progress, during this year, toward our mission of educating young girls, and preparing them to take leadership in their communities and in their country in a few short years. THANK YOU!

With Gratitude,

Micklina Kenyi

Executive Director

Some of the students who are supported by Girls With Books! have come to our program after fleeing from harrowing situations. Let me share an example from a student this year.

In 2013, Akon fled the war in South Sudan, seeking refuge in a camp in Khartoum with her parents. During our recent visit to South Sudan, we had the honor of meeting Akon, a student whose journey epitomizes resilience and hope amidst adversity.

When I asked Akon her name, she became visibly emotional. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she recounted her harrowing experience of fleeing yet again – this time from Khartoum back to South Sudan in February 2023. Both of her parents were tragically killed during the fighting in Sudan, leaving Akon and her siblings to fend for themselves.

Akon’s older brother, also in high school, stepped in to support Akon and their younger siblings. After school, he worked at a nearby construction company to provide for the family. Despite these immense challenges, Akon’s bravery and determination enabled her to continue her education at Greenbelt Academy, even though they struggled to survive and pay the school tuition since she joined last year.

Akon’s story is not unique. She represents many girls affected by the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan. Girls With Books! (GWB!) is committed to supporting girls like Akon, ensuring they have access to education and the resources they need to build a brighter future.

The UN Human Development Index (HDI) ranks South Sudan as 185th out of 189 States. The HDI is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having a decent standard of living. Its low score also indicates a poor level of gender equality. Women are dramatically underrepresented in positions of political and cultural authority. Most girls in South Sudan are taught to avoid failure and risk, to smile prettily, and to play it safe. Boys, on the other hand, are taught to be brave, climb trees, and take risks. By their teens, boys are encouraged to attend college, while girls are trained to be perfect wives. Less than 5% of girls in South Sudan graduate from high school.

The patriarchal culture in South Sudan has marginalized girls and women, excluding them from educational opportunities and participation in decision-making and political activity. This marginalization is especially pronounced in refugee camps, where traditional norms are even more entrenched. In these camps, men dominate social, cultural, economic, and political decision-making, relegating women and girls to domestic work and childcare.

Akon’s journey is a testament to the strength and resilience of girls in South Sudan. GWB! is dedicated to providing the support and resources necessary for girls like Akon to access education and build a better future. Thank you for joining GWB! as we work to make a difference in these young lives.

With Gratitude,

Micklina Kenyi
Executive Director