The Projects:
Sudan
In Sudan there are still many children that do not have an opportunity to go to school and receive education, something that the UN says every person has to right to.
The two schools we are funding are St. Philip School and Fulla Falls.
St. Philip School
The St. Philip basic school was founded on 28th February 1994 after the escalation of the war in Southern Sudan which left thousands of Sudanese people homeless and displaced to the Northern towns of Sudan. Soba Aradi where most of the displaced people from Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains and Western Sudan lived, is 15 Km South of Khartoum city and lack the basic amenities of an urban area. There is no running water, electricity and other basic services such as health and education. The displaced community members buy water from donkey vendors who sell water at a cost of 50 pens per barrel. The displaced community members, established St. Philip basic school for education of the displaced children who have no access to join in expensive private or government. schools The school has 640 children ( 327 girls and 313 boys) and 22 teachers ( female9 male 13). There are two watchmen in the school and one teacher assistant who also assist the teachers and children in the kindergarten The children are from Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Western and Eastern Sudan. The teachers themselves are displaced and most of them are from Southern Sudan. It is worth mentioning that, both the teachers and the children are both Muslims and Christians. The subjects taught in the school are mathematics, English, Arabic, History, Geography, Religion (Christianity and Islamic) and sciences.
Achievements:
The school progressed well in the last 10 years. It started with grade one in 1994 and progressed to grade eight where it has graduated over 300 pupils in grade eight (four batches) of which the first and second batches are now studying in universities. 75% of the teachers got trained and some were able to graduate in universities. In recognition of the school, World University Service (WUS UK) or Education Action International (EAI) intervened in 1998 through 2004 to fund the running cost of the school including teacher’s salaries. Education Action International stopped its funding this year 2005, due to lack of funding from their donors.
Problem facing the school:
- The area is not surveyed, the government bulldozed the area and some of the displaced people are expected to be relocated, thus affecting children.
- There is no permanent land for the school
- Most donors are interested in funding projects in Darfur and there is no budget for the running cost of the school
Immediate needs:
- Salaries for teachers, assistant teacher and watchmen
- Need for pupils benches & desks, teachers chairs, water barrels
- Maintenance of classrooms
- Money for examination fees for grade eight pupils
- typing and Photocopy of exams for grade one to seven
- Blackboards, chalk, textbooks and stationery such as papers, pens
Fulla Falls school
Fulla Falls was established in 1999 in order to educate displaced children who can not afford to pay school fees in expensive schools. It targets displaced children both Muslims and Christians mainly from Southern and Western Sudan, aged 3-6 years in the pre-school and 7-15 years in the basic school.
The school has 486 (216 boys and 270), 18 teachers (female 6 and 12 male) and 3 support staff ( 2watchmen male and 1 assistant teacher female).
Achievements
Despite of all the difficulties Fulla Falls school is doing very well, It has progressed to grade eight where children will sit for government senior entrance exams. Children are happy, enjoying education and willing to learn. The teachers share the limited resources the school acquired and are optimistic to reach their goal. Together for Sudan is paying salaries to 11 teachers.
Problem facing the school:
- The area is not surveyed, the government bulldozed the houses of the displaced people and some of them are expected to be relocated, thus affecting children
- The school has not been registered due to lack of fund for the registration and also hard government policies for registration of organizations and schools
- There is no permanent land for the school
- Most donors are interested in funding projects in Darfur
Indonesia (Aceh)
Aceh has been plagued by political instability for many years, and the devastating effects of the Tsunami have left the province in ruin (like most of South East Asia). We are working with a Indonesian charity to help them expand one of their existing Orphanages, that are in demand now more than ever.
