By Ray Stranske | Board Chair, Project Education South Sudan
Young girls' education is the primary focus of Project Education South Sudan. Given that only one in 6 women in this newest of nations can read and write, and given that 70% of school-age children have never set foot in a school, it is not surprising why this is important to us (information is from Unicef education statistics).
Daniel, former “lost boy” (war refugee) from Pagook, a small town near Bor, South Sudan is dedicating his life to this cause. After moving to the United States in 2001, after receiving a Psychology degree from University of Colorado, and after receiving a passport from this wealthiest of nations, the easy approach would have been to build a career in his adopted country, the USA – a nation of immigrants. But, Daniel chose not to pick “easy”. For the past five years he has lived in Bor, near his home of Pagook – most of the time, that is.
For one month out of each year, Daniel has been returning to Denver, Colorado to meet with his friends and supporters. Why is this important? Without generous friends in the US, Daniel would not be able to do what he is doing. He would need to get a job to support his family, and would likely have little time left to devote to his passion of helping young girls stay in school and achieve the goal of basic education.
So, what did Daniel do during his annual trip to the US in August and September of this year? He educated us. That is his other passion – to help people in Colorado (and elsewhere as they hear about us) better understand the people of South Sudan and the huge need for improved education. By building understanding and bridges of relationship between people of Denver in the US and people in the Bor area of South Sudan, strands of connection between these two cultures and groups of people are woven. As this effect is reproduced by hundreds and thousands of other small groups of international friends, gradually the world becomes smaller, more connected, more hopeful, and less dangerous.
Meet Abuk, who says: I appreciate you for your continuous support toward my high school education. Your support had overcome the challenges that were on my way to higher education. It has encouraged me to continue my studies to achieve the coming bright future in South Sudan.
Daniel and Project Education South Sudan are working to help Abuk succeed in school!
This is why we want to thank each one of you who help Daniel and Project Education South Sudan as we work to fulfill our mission of educating young girls in this least literate of all nations in the world (according to Unicef). Only 6% of giving by US donors goes to international causes (according to Global Impact), but how important this 6% is! This giving by US donors helps to build these strands of relationship that we at Project Education South Sudan are helping to weave. How can we thank you enough?! You are helping Abuk, and you are helping Daniel achieve his all-essential task.
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