Project Education Sudan Information

Since 2005, PESS has overseen and, along with its United States donors, funded the construction of new schools in three rural Jonglei villages. PESS also funded the rebuilding of a large existing structure in one of these villages, which had deteriorated beyond use. Prior to the recent inter-tribal conflict in Jonglei, these schools served over 3000 students. Three of the schools have reopened as relative peace returns to Jonglei. Daniel and the headmaster are actively working to reopen the fourth school - a girls' boarding school located in a village particularly hard hit by the violence and insecurity. PESS is determined that Ayak Anguei Primary Boarding School will be educating girls again soon. In constructing these schools, PESS lived by its belief that partnership with the community is the basis of educational sustainability. All building projects were the result of collaborative decision making between PESS and local leaders and stakeholders. All completed structures belong to the community, which provided the needed land and unskilled labor. More skill intensive construction was performed by indigenous South Sudanese contractors and workers funded by PESS and its partners. PESS adopted the UNICEF accountability model in funding, inspection and verification of spending for the schools. With a view to promoting school attendance and to fostering economic development, PESS has donated water wells, commercial grinding mills, cinderblock-making equipment, sewing machines and annual school supply money to the villages where the schools are located. In partnership with the non-profit Ears to Our World, PESS has transported and distributed radios to teachers to allow them access to world news in their mostly "Internet-free" environments.