JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Rebecca is among the inaugural Neighbourhood women in S. Sudan, more on page 46. This smile is the result of pure joy. It’s what it looks like to face many trials, yet persevere in a faith that can move mountains.

South Sudan is not only the world’s youngest country, it is also the poorest, most fractured place on earth. Its women and children have been dealt devastating blows of destruction, yet there is hope.

KEEP A GIRL IN SCHOOL

Joyce is a first-generation daughter of the young republic of South Sudan. Intelligent and determined, in many ways she mirrors her country—both brimming with unlimited potential, but facing significant challenges.

In December 2013, a bloody conflict broke out, killing over 300,000 people, and displacing millions. It’s possible that Joyce’s father is one of those who was lost in the fighting. Today, as a fragile peace takes hold, there are serious difficulties for South Sudan’s people. 90% of women cannot read, and over two million children do not attend school. Yet, as we know, education plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. Girls, in particular, who are educated are less vulnerable to

Esther studies with her class in Gulu, Uganda.

HIV, human trafficking, and unwanted pregnancies. When girls are kept in school they stand a better chance of growing into empowered women who can transform their neighbourhoods and countries.

This is why we’re excited to have recently launched Keep a Girl in School, along with Watoto Neighbourhood, in South Sudan. Thanks to partners like Priscilla Shirer, and friends from around the world, we are making sure girls have the opportunity to pursue an education. No girl should have her future decided simply because she can’t afford feminine hygiene products.

As the oldest of six, school has never been a guarantee for Joyce. Like many girls, there were times Joyce had to miss school because her family couldn’t afford basic necessities like sanitary pads, or the money to send her to school.

“Periods were a major reason I would miss school,” says Joyce. “I would use cloths to clean myself when my periods would appear. I felt so uncomfortable and out of place, but what I feared most was the boys noticing. Thank you because you came to our school and taught us about selfesteem. Now, we are not ashamed of our periods and we thank God for creating us as girls.”

Not only did we provide 46,928 sanitary pads and bars of soap, and 17,598 new panties last year, but we taught good health practices, along with godly sexual education to 12,193 girls and boys. As we meet and equip girls in South Sudan, we’re reminded of what God has done through us in northern Uganda. When we began in Gulu, it was also in the midst of violent unrest, yet we have seen things steadily change for the better. More girls than ever before are in school—and staying in school.

Esther is one of these girls from Gulu. Like Joyce, she used to miss school because of her period. But now she’s able to stay in school and is working towards her dream of becoming a nurse.

Both girls have faith for the future, and we have faith in their potential—and the thousands of girls just like Joyce and Esther.