Like me, do you sometimes wonder why God allowed you to be born in the United States? Each time I travel to South Sudan this question comes to mind bringing with it a little bit of guilt as I observe the rampant illiteracy in this nation. I visit South Sudan having experienced a life of incredible opportunities, including by God’s grace, receiving an excellent education. Being overwhelmed by the absolute drought of education in South Sudan is one reason I am so passionate about the work SEA Partners does to educate children in Boma. Educating children in Boma is still the key to success.
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| This Boma student is reading from the English Bible in church. Educating the children in Boma will have a long-lasting effect for Christ. |
John Weymer, a long-time Board Member of SEA Partners, traveled with me to Boma in March. He had an interesting perspective on educating children in our school in Boma and the state of South Sudanese education in general.
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| John interviewed Tapala regarding his thoughts about the Boma school and his future goals and aspirations. Tapala is now in Kitale, Kenya continuing his education through the support of SEA Partners. |
As I think about the impact we are having in Boma, for me education rises to the top of the list. Did you know that according to UNESCO, South Sudan has the highest rate of illiteracy in the world? Only 27% of the population can read and write. Compare this with Haiti, which has the lowest literacy rate in the Western Hemisphere at 61%. In South Sudan, the literacy rate for females is even lower at only 14%. Another shocking statistic from UNICEF is that 70% of South Sudanese children aged 6-17 have never even set foot in a school. Of the schools in South Sudan, a country the size of Texas with 12 million residents, only 150 permanent schools exist. Most schools are taught under trees or in thatched huts. Where there are schools, 93% of teachers are untrained with at most a primary level education themselves, and there is a chronic shortage of books and other teaching material.
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John takes an opportunity to teach 5th and 6th grade Social Studies.
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That is why what SEA Partners is doing in Boma is so important. Faith Learning Centre, now in its 10th year of operation, is the only viable school in an area with nearly 50,000 residents. Our school is so highly valued by the local villagers that many families have moved up the mountain to be closer to the school so that their children can attend on a more regular basis. Our students are not only taught by University trained teachers in a permanent structure, but they also receive 2 meals a day at the school.
Education Program
Our vision for Boma is that all children have an opportunity to receive an eduction. Providing this opportunity is a challenge that God has called us to pursue. In order to provide a Christian education to these children we need your help. The cost to educate 200 children is almost $7,000 ($35 per student) per month. By making an online gift to support our Education Program, you will enable us to keep our promise to the 200 children now attending Faith Learning Centre in Boma. We made a commitment to these kids and their parents to provide them the life-changing gift of education. You can help us keep this promise!
Thanks for your consideration and for educating children in South Sudan. May God bless you for your kindness and generosity.
Donnie Brake, Ed.D.
President
PS. Do you want to have a direct impact on the lives of children in Africa? If so, please give a gift to provide 200 kids in Boma a quality education by clicking on this link. Thank you.
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (II Corinthians 9:11)