#EducationDay: World Vision helps bring 101,264 children back to school
As we celebrate the Education Day globally, World Vision marks a milestone of reaching out to 101,264 children in its operational zones in Juba, Upper Nile, Warrap and Western Equatoria through its supported schools. Among these children, 37,831 were provided with meals through the school feeding programs.
“Education remains part of our top priority in Upper Nile State. Though not categorised as a life-saving intervention on a short term, we believe that an educated population is a resilient population”, says Monde Nasilele, World Vision’s Zonal Manager for Upper Nile.
Linda John says, "I am glad to have a book to write on." She is among the 2,000 school children assisted by World Vision in Juba.
World Vision in Upper Nile has supported 40,497 school children. Nasilele adds, “With the dilapidated infrastructure, limited teaching staff and materials, the task to bring education to the children of South Sudan is urgent. We call as many partners as possible to join us in getting children access quality education not just in our state but for the entire country.”
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South Sudan’s illiteracy rate is among the highest in the world. The UN report has highlighted that 70 percent of the country’s population over 15 years old is illiterate. “Creating a conducive environment for learning and development for the children in the light of these challenges is a must because they are the torch bearers of the future generation”, says Gift Sibanda, World Vision’s Juba Zonal Manager.
"Before, school bag cannot protect my books from wet", shares 11-year old Godfrey John. Here he happily shows a new bag he received from World Vision and said he is no longer worried even if it rains.
World Vision’s intervention in the country’s capital Juba covers 10 schools with close to 2,000 children in partnership with the Ministry of Education. This includes provision of computers, school supplies and girls’ dignity kits, school renovations, training of teachers and community volunteers, among many others. Most of these initiatives are being implemented in Warrap for 41,132 school children and 17,638 in Western Equatoria.
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Sibanda adds, “World Vision’s education program also endeavors to promote peace and unity amongst the children through the peace clubs in these schools. To promote engagements, sports for peace gala was held where children participated in competitions”. He reiterated the need for partners and stakeholders to work together to bring more children to school.
Photos by Zipporah Karani, Communications Officer.