South Sudan's next generation
Donation protected
South Sudan is the world’s youngest county having separated from Sudan after decades of civil war. Just two years after independence in 2011, fighting within the government led to conflict which has persisted since, displacing millions and forcing millions more into poverty. There are 2 million out of school children in South Sudan. About 30 of them live on the street about 100 metres from my door.
Andrew comes from the northern part of South Sudan, from a town about 1,000km from the capital, Juba. He lost half his family during the war in 2013, and the rest during the war in 2016. He has been living on the harsh Juba streets ever since. Andrew is 10. He would like to be a pilot – I didn’t ask him, but I wonder if it has anything to do with the 1,000km trek by foot he made around age 6.
Michael, age 17, comes from Malakal – the third largest city in South Sudan and the location of many battles since the 80s. He used to be in boarding school in Kenya, but was sent back to Juba at some point in his secondary school career because his family couldn’t afford to keep him there. He lost his family in the wars of 2013 and 2016. He says he drinks because he’s been abandoned and wants to forget he has no mother to care about him; instead of being cared for, he’s one of the leaders of a gang of street kids, ranging from ages 4 to 17.
Despite all their hardships, Andrew and Michael* are like any other kids. They have dreams, hopes for the future and ambition. This motivated me to do something to create a sustainable difference for them.
In January, I started buying them fruit every couple of days but realized that likely wouldn't change their situation, so for the last four months I've taken 30 kids to dinner every day of the week. One night in January while we were having our meal, someone came running into the restaurant to say a boy had been hit by a car and we should go check if it was one of our group. It wasn’t, but a 7-year-old boy was still killed that night, reminding me just how critical it is for me to get these boys off the street.
I've now rented a house for them to live in and a compound where they can play; I've hired security, a cook, a cleaner and South Sudanese 'parent figures'. They can have showers, get medical treatment when needed, and eat three meals a day. Next month when the new term begins they'll start school. Most importantly, they have a safe space to be kids and South Sudanese adults they can talk to if they need help.
As much as I am pleased with the achievements so far, I realize that the best way to help requires a community effort. This is where you come in. For $50 a month, you can assist me in ensuring the boys have healthy food, clean clothes, a comfortable home, and opportunities to build their future - attending school and participating in extra-curricular activities.
Together we can do our best to ensure that these children have the future they deserve and the skills their country needs to build a more peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.
About me: my name is Anna and I'm a humanitarian worker. I'm a Canadian but I've worked in South Sudan for the last three years. This initiative is not part of my day to day work, but something that is close to my heart because I believe that the future of South Sudan is in its youth. From day one, I've worked with my South Sudanese friends to help these children because they know their culture and country best.
*Kids' names are changed for privacy.
Andrew comes from the northern part of South Sudan, from a town about 1,000km from the capital, Juba. He lost half his family during the war in 2013, and the rest during the war in 2016. He has been living on the harsh Juba streets ever since. Andrew is 10. He would like to be a pilot – I didn’t ask him, but I wonder if it has anything to do with the 1,000km trek by foot he made around age 6.
Michael, age 17, comes from Malakal – the third largest city in South Sudan and the location of many battles since the 80s. He used to be in boarding school in Kenya, but was sent back to Juba at some point in his secondary school career because his family couldn’t afford to keep him there. He lost his family in the wars of 2013 and 2016. He says he drinks because he’s been abandoned and wants to forget he has no mother to care about him; instead of being cared for, he’s one of the leaders of a gang of street kids, ranging from ages 4 to 17.
Despite all their hardships, Andrew and Michael* are like any other kids. They have dreams, hopes for the future and ambition. This motivated me to do something to create a sustainable difference for them.
In January, I started buying them fruit every couple of days but realized that likely wouldn't change their situation, so for the last four months I've taken 30 kids to dinner every day of the week. One night in January while we were having our meal, someone came running into the restaurant to say a boy had been hit by a car and we should go check if it was one of our group. It wasn’t, but a 7-year-old boy was still killed that night, reminding me just how critical it is for me to get these boys off the street.
I've now rented a house for them to live in and a compound where they can play; I've hired security, a cook, a cleaner and South Sudanese 'parent figures'. They can have showers, get medical treatment when needed, and eat three meals a day. Next month when the new term begins they'll start school. Most importantly, they have a safe space to be kids and South Sudanese adults they can talk to if they need help.
As much as I am pleased with the achievements so far, I realize that the best way to help requires a community effort. This is where you come in. For $50 a month, you can assist me in ensuring the boys have healthy food, clean clothes, a comfortable home, and opportunities to build their future - attending school and participating in extra-curricular activities.
Together we can do our best to ensure that these children have the future they deserve and the skills their country needs to build a more peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.
About me: my name is Anna and I'm a humanitarian worker. I'm a Canadian but I've worked in South Sudan for the last three years. This initiative is not part of my day to day work, but something that is close to my heart because I believe that the future of South Sudan is in its youth. From day one, I've worked with my South Sudanese friends to help these children because they know their culture and country best.
*Kids' names are changed for privacy.
Organizer and beneficiary
Anna Soper
Organizer
New York, NY
Helen Somes
Beneficiary