By Laura Lloyd-Braff | Media and Communications
Dear Friends,
Spring marks new beginnings, and here at PESS, we are enjoying the joys of the season: blooming flowers, budding trees-- even office cleaning! For the people of South Sudan, this spring also brings a fresh start, as many begin to rebuild their livelihoods after the devastating violence that occurred this past December.
As you know from our last update, Alex and I had planned to be in South Sudan now, implementing Girls Leadership, Feminine Hygiene, and HIV/AIDS programs with our partners in South Sudan. While I am disappointed that December’s violence has pushed back project implementation to 2015, I am still so proud to hear about all of the hard work of our in-country partners. Daniel Majok Gai, our South Sudan Country Director, has been working tirelessly, leading his fellow countrymen and women through the recovery process. When I spoke to him, he told me about his visit to Juba and Bor and happily reported that the situation seems to have stabilized, citizens carrying out their daily activities “normally” and “peacefully.” Government offices have reopened and are functioning as usual. Populations in the towns continue to increase, as those who were displaced feel safe enough to return to their homes. And, as we at PESS were thrilled to hear, schools throughout the conflict-affected regions are opening their doors for the next semester—including Malek Academy and Langbaar Modern Secondary. Malek Academy is temporarily housed in Juba due to the extreme damage done to the school during the conflict in Bor.
Speaking of the girls, they are more excited than ever to start school again! Abuk, a continuing student at Malek Academy explains that she is eager to sit her Form 3 Final examinations this June and continue her education to realize her dreams of becoming a nurse. She is well on her way: the deputy principal at Malek describes her as an outstanding student, outshining all the boys in science classes. Grace, a new student at Malek Academy is so excited for the opportunity to start at the prestigious school, expressing her gratitude for the “tireless dedication and hard work” of the sponsors who enable her to receive her education. We are so grateful to She’s the First, Global Giving Girl Effect, and sponsors Joanna and Sue, who will all continue to support these girls and their classmates through their education at Malek Academy, and others at Langbaar Modern Secondary and Bor College High.
The teachers at the schools are equally excited to continue business as usual, for they know the importance of education as this country rebuilds. The principal of Malek Academy expresses his gratitude to the donors, explaining that the support is “encouraging to these young girls,” in this time of strife. He is eager to cooperate with PESS to realize the common goal: “The success of girls’ higher education in South Sudan.”
The seeds for a fresh start in South Sudan are there; now they need to be cultivated. Please remember the girls of South Sudan this spring season; together, we can help them grow and thrive as they become the future leaders of South Sudan.
As always, thank you for your continued support in spreading education and hope! We hope that this spring brings you opportunities for growth and renewal, just as it does for the girls of South Sudan.
With gratitude,
Laura Lloyd-Braff
Media and Communications
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
