Help South Sudan’s First Debate Team Reach the World Stage

Hello, my name is Mach Riak Garang, Founder and Founding Executive Director of Joint Debate Society - South Sudan.

After spending 12 years in Uganda due to conflict, I discovered something powerful as a student: debate can unite people, even in the face of division and violence.

When I returned to South Sudan, I made a commitment—to build a debate culture that gives young people a voice, fosters critical thinking, and promotes peace.

With a small group of dedicated volunteers, we founded the Joint Debate Society and later the Junub Debate Academy. What started as a dream quickly became a movement:

* In 2023, we hosted our first national tournament with just 4 schools.

* In 2024, it grew to 28 teams.

* In 2025, we reached 34 teams across the country.

We also began taking students to regional competitions. In 2024, we brought 2 schools to Rwanda for the East African Debate Championship. By 2025, that number grew to 10 schools—and in an incredible milestone, Junub Debate Academy won the البطولة, securing South Sudan’s first-ever international debate trophy.

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A Historic Opportunity

For years, one dream felt out of reach: sending a South Sudanese team to the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC)—the most prestigious high school debate tournament in the world.

Distance, visa challenges, and high costs made it nearly impossible.

But now, for the first time, WSDC will be held in Nairobi, Kenya —bringing this global stage closer than ever before.

We’ve successfully applied to send South Sudan’s inaugural national debate team. Even more encouraging, we’ve received partial scholarship funding from WSDC Ltd.

This is our moment.

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What We Need

To make this dream a reality, we need $10,000 to support:

* Registration fees

* Travel and transportation

* Training and preparation camp

* Accommodation and logistics

Our team includes:

* 5 student speakers

* 2 coaches

* 1 team administrator

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Why This Matters

Debate is more than competition—it’s a tool for peacebuilding, leadership, and national unity.

These students represent a new generation of South Sudan: thoughtful, confident, and ready to engage with the world.

Personally, this work with young students has changed my life. It helped me earn the opportunity to study at the African Leadership University as. Mastercard Foundation Scholar, Now, I want to pass that opportunity forward.

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❤️ Join Us

Your support—no matter the size—brings us closer to making history.

Help us send South Sudan’s first debate team to the world stage.

Together, we can empower voices, build bridges, and show what’s possible.