SSD 16 - EDUCATION IS THE WAY TO GO
Project Location
The project takes place in Cueibet in the Lakes State of South Sudan, under the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek. It is still an area of first evangelization. The area is still very much behind in terms of development and education and the situation is worsened by cultural practices which prevent many children from enjoying their right to education. For example, the cultural practice of having multiple wives and several children makes it difficult for most families to cater for the educational needs of their children. Actually, most men raise children but leave the remaining responsibilities to the women. Consequently, many children of school going age end up in cattle camps, market streets, peoples’ farms or at home as care takers of their younger siblings. Therefore, our intervention in supporting some needy learners in the school will reduce the high level of school dropout rate which is mainly caused by poverty.
Project description
St. Justina Primary School was started by the Jesuits out of the need for basic education in Cueibet. Many children were graduating from the kindergarten run by the Comboni Sisters and had no proper school to continue with their primary education. The Jesuits have been coordinating its administration since its foundation four years ago. However, this year 2025, the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek has requested the Comboni sisters to take over the administration of the school.
Up to now, the Jesuits have been funding the school almost fully since the parents pay very little and not all commit themselves. The school will need a lot of financial support during this year of transition. The school will therefore require some financial support to assist 100 learners who are unable to pay school fees and also purchase some scholastic materials.
The community of Comboni Sisters is also helping fifty-four children from other nine schools. Before selecting the candidates, we visit their families in order to understand better their family situations. A number of families have many children and therefore struggle to pay school fees and to buy the scholastic materials. As we consider education a value and a pastoral priority, our aim is to encourage them to continue going to school.
Once they are beneficiaries of the scholarship, we offer them some little work in our compound as their contribution. Therefore, every Saturday a small group comes as indicated in a scheduled list, and after the work we share with them a moment of prayer, games followed by the distribution of some stationery or soap and finally breakfast. We consider this an opportunity for evangelization, sharing, motivation and an opportunity to know them better.
This is a good experience for them and for us as they help us to understand better the situation of their families. Without our intervention, many children would be out of school and the level of illiteracy and therefore poverty in Cueibet will never change. The children we support yearly will be transformed and so contribute to a better society in South Sudan.
Objectives
- To promote basic education
- To reduce school dropout rate
Beneficiaries
Direct: 154 elementary school children
Indirect: their families and communities
Referent Sisters for the project: Sr Pollina Asikuru and Sr Catherine Achieng’ Ouma
Project's costs