Education Transforms Lives

As we shared last month, our mission at Transform South Sudan is to empower the people of South Sudan with good health, knowledge, and skills to achieve sustainable peace and gospel-driven transformation.  One of the primary ways we seek to accomplish this is through providing a quality, gospel-centered education in Lietnhom.

So why education?  Why the Linda Primary School and the Hope Secondary School!?  Why now?

According to UNICEF, more than a decade after their independence, South Sudan remains in a protracted humanitarian crisis, impacted by conflict, economic stagnation, and instability as well as being highly prone and vulnerable to climate-related shocks. One of the outcomes of this protracted crisis is the lack of educational opportunities for children and adolescents.

More than 2.8 million children, or over 70%, are out of school in South Sudan, putting at risk their futures and the future of the country. Some of the out-of-school children are living in rural communities, moving with their cattle and are not able to attend regular classes. The largest group of out-of-school children in South Sudan are girls. Poverty, teenage marriage and cultural and religious views all hinder girls' education.

In fact, few are aware that South Sudan is the youngest nation on the earth.  And if you measure the 193 counties on the plant in terms of a human development index (health, education, the ability to earn income, and provide for themselves), South Sudan ranks 192nd out of those 193 countries .

As a result of that reality, at Transform South Sudan we are committed to:

• Discipleship through education.  We believe discipleship through education (in the context of relationship) is the most effective way to reach students for Christ in South Sudan.  Our Students go to school where they will receive a Christ-based education, encouragement, hope, safety and more than a few hugs.  Hearts are changed.  Lives are changed.  Families are changed.  Communities are changed.

• Offering an excellent education so that individuals and families can do more than just memorize information, but apply their knowledge to solve problems for a better future for themselves and their country.

• Modeling what James Baak learned as a lost boy in a refugee camp.  After receiving an education and coming to know Christ, He was passionate to return to South Sudan as opposed to starting a “new life” that was offered to him in America.  The number one reason he desired to return was to preach the gospel, but the number two reason was to build schools because he saw how the absence of schools really held back people and kept them in almost a perpetual hardship.  

• Providing the opportunity for both boys AND girls to hear the gospel and receive a life-changing education for a better future.  This year, our student enrollment is almost 50% female.  The barriers that marginalize the spiritual and educational development of females are coming down.

Thanks for your faithful partnership. Together we are making a difference.