During the Jointly strategy testing exercise with the County Nutrition Department and Christian AID, community voices were collected from three locations: Malual Centre, Ariath and Malual East County using face to face Group discussions with the project beneficiaries. They shared some of their success stories as follows:
One of the fisher group members said that they were trained on fishing gears and it had improved their lives in his house hold. He happened to catch five fishes, gave three to his wife to prepare for his family; and sold the two fishes in the market and used the money for saving in the village saving loan assentation (VSLA).
Titagoor Mother to mother support group
We the groups of Titagoor have appreciated SPEDP for the services it provided to us. We received seeds, planted them and now we have seeds for the next year planting session. In addition, we have ground nuts now eating with our families and this has improved our lives as a group and families, hence promoting resilience among the communities.
I am Abuk Mangok Kon, 29 year old a mother with a family size of 10 members a group member of Mother to Mother support group in Marol Deng Geng.
My sincere thanks goes to SPEDP and Christian Aid for bringing this program supporting Mother to Mothers groups (women) in the community to address the issue of Malnutrition and training us on the demonstration garden, which have changed my lifestyle. When I started participating in the group I learned a lot of knowledge and skills and be able to apply at my home to get food for my children. I was depending on my husband but because of the support and knowledge from this training, I managed to make my small kitchen garden of vegetables, Sukuma, tomatoes and cow peas and am selling here what I got as a result of learning from the group and I planted the vegetable seeds that were distributed by SPEDP near my home. And at least every day, I make some money. First time I sold and got 200 SSP. Second time I earned 150 SSP and today I have already sold 180 SSP and by the end of the day, I will get more than 200 SSP from the Sukuma and tomatoes. The paste am selling in our village market here, am holding 5 leaf lets at a cost of 60 SSP.
Now am able to save money on our VSLA meeting saving days from the Sukuma sales. I’m able to change my diet at home. If this support continues, I will not register as a case of Malnutrition. The money also helps me buy soap, meat and other basic needs at home.
My message to the Community especially women/men is to work hard such that we produce food for our families not waiting for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to give food.
Agol Deng Aleu, Aged 30 years, family size 8, group member of Puon Path VSLA group member in Pamat said:
Before I joined the group it was difficult for me to do something for myself at home and I used to wait for my husband to provide food and buy soap at home. But when I joined the group and was trained on saving weekly in the group. I took some loan worth 2000 SSP from the group to start a small business of selling tea in the market. The business has improved my lifestyle and now I have knowledge and skills of generating money. For example, I was trained on producing vegetable and VSLA. Out of the 2000 SSP I borrowed, I got 2000 to 3000 SSP every day from the tea in the market which has improve my family life and I’m now providing soap, food and books for my children. In addition, I’m now planning to buy a goat.
So my message to the rest of the communities is that struggle and be in groups so that you are trained and stand on their own than waiting for everything from the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). I can now buy enough Sorghum to make sure the children have enough food at home.
For SPEDP and Christian Aid I request them to give more training e.g. on business so that we improve and stand on our own as women of Pamat.
Situation/ background:
The Consortium led by Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) in partnership with Women Aid Vision (WAV) has received funding support from the Enabel, the Belgian Development Agency/European Commission to implement the “Enhancing vocational education and training service provision for women, youths and vulnerable groups in South Sudan” project in Aweil and Juba for a period of 24 months. The program aims at promoting inclusiveness in VET by developing the new and innovative VET provisions and job insertion services. It tends to support life-long learning and equitable quality and job-oriented education, with a special attention to education and training opportunities to girls and women. And improving their standard of living through increasing awareness in life related issues and the 10 basic life skills and occupational skills.
Mrs. Awok Chan is one of the Enabel project beneficiary for tailoring in Aweil town. Awok had esteem in tailoring but didn’t know where she can join. Said Awok, when I heard of SPEDP intervention; I informed my husband to allow me to pursue tailoring such that I will support other family demands. I’m pleased to join this initiative which has enabled me to make number of clothes from small to big. She believed after the completion, she can be able to earn money and will afford to other family needs where necessary. Mrs. Awok urged SPEDP and the European Commission to continue with the initiative when there is possibility of funds. She uttered that; some boys, girls and young mothers who were out of schools got engaged with the training such that it can built their resilient and be independent. She further appreciated this initiative and urged women who didn’t acquired should get enroll if there’s possibilities of continuation of the initiative
Josephina Sebit aged 23 years Old is one of Enabel Project bakery beneficiary. She joined this intervention because she doesn’t want to continue and be a burden to her family. She said “Bread baking is a very good initiative to raised money. Most people in Aweil prefer and depend on bread and Kisra more than posho; that means when I completed this training, I will earn adequate amount of money and afford my personal needs. There were few bakeries established in Aweil town to carter for people demands for bread. She further said that, the skills she acquired from the training will help her after completion of the project. Josephina said she learned a lot from the theory which makes the practical part of the project so simple to implement. She urged SPEDP and European Commission to increase the period of training and continue with the initiative if there will be funds. This initiative has improved and encouraged unity among women in Aweil which she did not observed before said Josephina. She appreciated SPEDP and donors for acceded of this project in Aweil town.
Despite covid-19 outbreak, it has led to schools closer which has drove many youth to roam in the street of Aweil. Ngong said, the purpose which motivated him to join electrical training was to acquire skills. He believed that, the resourcefulness of the project will provide work opportunities for him and the colleagues to earn money that will enable them to afford their needs. Mr. Wiel said, he learnt the two ways of electrical connection; the series and parallel which does better with solar installation. He urged youth who doesn’t possess the opportunity to join with them should look for handy work such that it can aid their family a healthy living. He further thanks SPEDP with support from Enabel, the Belgium development agency/ European Commission interventions in Aweil town and urged them to lobby and continue with the vocational education training initiative in South Sudan at large.
Abraham Anyar, Enabel project beneficiaries for Masonry at Information, Counseling & Legal Assistance Center (ICLA) in Maper Akot- Aweil town.
Abraham was idler before SPEDP intervention with Enabel vocational education training initiative in Aweil town. He joined masonry after he got the information from community leaders and the project supervisor during mobilization in Maper Akot. Anyar learnt how to construct and assemble bricks to make a house/shelter for living. He said, with the practical skills he acquired from the masonry training, he will earn considerable amount of money after completion. Mr. Abraham uttered that, engineers in Maper-Akot gets money frequently in construction. He believed that after the completion, he will be able to get opportunities of construction and starts over. He further urged, youth and the people of his area to join vocational education training when the opportunity prevails. Abraham thanks SPEDP and the partner Enabel, the Belgium development agency/European Commission to continue with the initiative of vocational education training and expand it to other states if there will be availability of funds.
Sallah el Dud Mohammed is a father of five, 4 boys and 1 girl whose right leg got amputated due to gun bullets. Mr Sallah lost one leg and injured on his right arm. Said Sallah; “I became disable due to conflict, but still taking my family responsibilities at this trying moment. I appreciate Support for peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) with support from Danida Church h Aid (DCA), for introducing this initiative here in Anzara. Sallah uttered, the living standard of my family has improved because of this support. In the first distribution I received 11,090 which I bought 1 goat and has produced two (2). I used the other part of the money for family consumption and invest other in agriculture activities and paid children tuition. This second distribution, my plan will remain the same as the first such that in future when the goats grew; I will sell and be able to afford for my family demands. He urged SPEDP and DCA to persist with this initiative because it has created hope and has normalized the livelihood of the most vulnerable people affected by the protracted conflict.
Mrs. Selina Otto is a beneficiary who lives in Pageri appreciate the cash distribution distributed by Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) with support from Danida Church Aid (DCA). Selina said “this Initiative which is introduced to us by SPEDP is helping people here in Pageri. I’m going to invest this cash to buy charcoal and sell at the market such that it can sustain my family. We don’t have anything that we can depend on to consume, with this support I will be able to buy food and complete my children tuition fees. She further said that, the conflict has affected them and the way of living became difficult because there was no access to other items. Selina thanks the work of SPEDP and DCA and urged them to continue with the support such that it can give vulnerable people living in Pageri hope to stay.
Photo: Mrs. Regina Atung Yoro poses for a photo at her home in Old Fangak of Jonglei State in South Sudan
Regina Atung Yoro is 27 years Old; she is a single mother of four children 2 boys and 2 girls. Regina is a beneficiary of Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) and Food for the Hungry (FH) in Old Fangak. The community in Old Fangak goes for Open Defecation (OD) in the bush which has caused them a lot of sickness. She stressed that “the intervention of SPEDP and FH with Households shared latrines has help them a lot. “My family was the victims of water borne diseases because of drinking contaminated water. I was not able to save little money for other family demands hence all the money goes for treatment. My children suffered with diarrhea to the extent I almost lost them.” This initiative has help in community transformation through the hygiene sessions. The elders defecate in the bush and children do open defecation behind the houses which produces bad smell; said Regina.
Since the intervention of Support for Peace and Education Development Programme and Food for the Hungry, the community got adapted to use of latrines which resulted to less cases of illness and infectious diseases in Old Fangak. Mrs. Atung urged SPEDP and FH to continue with this initiative such that the hygiene practices in the community will improve.
Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) and Food for the Hungry (FH) with support from OFDA/USAID, implement WASH in school project through menstrual hygiene management and WASH clubs .The project is targeting reproductive age school going girls with menstrual hygiene kits and messages in Old Fangak. The intervention of SPEDP and FH in Pigi Canal village is to promote environmental awareness, promote personal hygiene among pupils to improve sanitation and reduce outbreak. Community in Old Fangak and Pigi canal were able to know faecal oral transmission and its prevention methods and water sanitation diseases.
Nyabiel Joseph Diing a mother of 7 children 2 boys and 5 girls lives in Pigi. The only source of water they had for consumption was stagnant swamp water which is about 2 kilometer walk from her home. She uttered that, before SPEDP and FH intervention, the community had less knowledge about the water borne diseases. “This initiative help us a lot, the home visits, community dialogue meetings, and the aqua tap distributed by the hygiene promoters to the community has reduced illness and infectious diseases”. Mrs. Nyabiel appreciated the initiative and said that she no longer over spend on treatment because there was reduction rate of illness and infectious disease among her children.
Rehabilitated Hand pump machine/ Bore hole in Old Fangak. Photo credit by Maliamungu: Community at SPEDP rehabilitated water source in Old Fangak of Jonglei State.
My name is Chol Del Wol , I am living here in Bor Poc now four years since the war broke out. Since I came here in the PoC I didn’t come across these kind of initiative SPEDP and UNDP has brought to us. Women here in PoC has lost hope and always thinking negative but when these initiative was brought I can feel there is change in me because everything is going on well since day one of the training. Life is becoming simple and easy for me because I have learnt how to sew/ design bed shed both with machine and hand. So far, I can make like four in a day and these will earn me money for living and take good responsibility of my family and children. As women here in the PoC, we are very happy for these initiative brought to us by SPEDP and UNDP to transform our lives and hinder economics amongst family. May God bless you and open every possible way forward for your plan to help vulnerable people across South Sudan.
My name is Elizabeth Joseph staying here in Bor PoC. I’m happy since joining these Programme brought to us by SPEDP and UNDP. As one of the woman here in PoC, we are really very happy and appreciate these initiative which God has directed to come to us so from now we know he will not abundant his people. Many women lost their husbands and they are single mothers so life became hard to them to take full responsibilities of their households ; but after joining these Programme it has build hope in them. The skills we have attain from these training will be the husband of the widowers because the it will enable her to earn living and sustain life for the family. Skills doesn’t get old it remain forever so that mean when peace come to our Country, the knowledge and experience of this training will easy life for us. I urge SPEDP and UNDP to continue with these initiative and if there is funds, they should proceed to other villages and PoC to help because women are the victims of these senseless war. We are now living like free people who are cancel and free traumatize not like before as we were in Prison, because now every woman is busy and focusing on building her Living and change way of life in her family.
My name is Nyaluak Mabiel, I am doing Carpentry training here in Bor PoC. So far , I have learnt so many like designing and making of church cross, Karbala ( Local made for cleaning up any legumes with stones and sands), and soon we are going to make tables, doors , Windows and many others. I became very happy after joining these initiative and my living standard has change here in PoC because I am always busy here at the center and has nothing to think negative about myself and action to take. I want to thank SPEDP and UNDP for brining these beautiful Programme here in Bor PoC and targeting, that mean they have understand the suffering of women in these imminence war of South Sudan we are the victims. I urge women in other IDPs Camp and PoC to welcome these kind of initiative when it comes to place where they are, because it can equipped them with skills that will enable for better survival when peace is achieve in South Sudan. Peace will prevail so soon and the skills we are getting in these training will help and sustain our life. What Men can do , I have believe and witness Women also can do if they were given the required skills.
My name is Rebecca Nyiphaat, I am doing Computer training at SPEDP Centre here in Bor PoC. I would like to take this opportunity to thanks SPEDP and UNDP for bringing these initiative to us. Women here in PoC were traumatize and living with stress because they had nothing to do that will change their mind set to think positively. Now these training is making women busy from morning till evening , if you are to walk around the PoC ,you will find most women are here in the center. We appreciate these training because it is unique and different from what IOM has delivered to beneficiaries here in PoC. I have learnt so many things in the sector of my training which I didn’t know , before we were force to run here in PoC ;I was working in an Office but I don’t know how to use a computer and another challenges I was facing was the problem of English language which was difficult to me. But after Joining these training, I have learnt Computer introduction , Ms. Office Word, Excel , Opening a page in computer ,and other packages which I didn’t know. So far I have also learnt English , I know to do calculation which I thought computer has nothing to do with mathematics but it is making work so easy. I want to Thank God for bringing me this far to learnt these skills and I do believe it is going to help me in the future.
Mr. Okiro Ogala Assistant Head Teacher in Presbyterian Primary School said, He is very happy with the initiative because it has makes Teachers to concentrates in teaching which makes children to be active and it has result to changes in performance. “Before this Initiative, we start class at 8:00 am and end at 11:30 am but after this Programme was introduced we start class at 8:00 am and end at 2:00 p.m. which is a big change in our School”. He further said, the number of enrolment has increased from 600 (B=350, G=250) learners before the Programme to 704 (B=397, G=307) after the Programme. Okiro urge the Programme to continue such that it Motivate children to keep enrolling to school next year. He appreciates SPEDP and SSHF for this Initiative.
Catherina Louis one of the learner said, “Before the Programme she used to go home to eat breakfast at home and it happened that sometime she gets nothing at home which made her to stay home instead of coming back to school and continue with the lessons. She continued “with hunger it is really difficult for her to pay attention on what a teacher teach during lessons. But since the Emergency School Feeding Programme, she has never miss classes, after breakfast I stay within school and do revisions sometimes up to 3:00 P.M. Catherina urge the Programme to continue such that she can reach at higher level of studying. She further thanks SPEDP and SSHF for the Progressing initiative which has motivated Poor children to compete with children from the rich background.
Mrs. Agau Garang Atem a teacher in Chief Shoum Aling Primary School in Renk County said “this Initiative has made many children to get enrolled in School because most of them are from Poor family. The learners has nothing to eat at home and that was a reason why the number of dropped out was high. But since the Emergency School Feeding Programme was introduced it has motivated them to get enrolled and pursue their Education. She further said the Orphan children who have nothing are continuing with school, because they got motivated. She urges the Programme to continue such that it will make them finish studies and strengthen their capacity to go to higher education. Mrs. Agau Garang thanks Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) and South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF) for this Programme. I wish the Emergency School Feeding Programme Should reach all the schools in this County.
He further said that, they were longing for it since they are Internal Displace Persons (IDPs) in the area. Mr. Michael said, they had a lot of challenges before the Emergency School Feeding Programme which has resulted to low enrollment and learners drop out from schools. Most family was from Poor family where food was scarce. After the Emergency School Feeding Programme, there was increased in enrollment, attendance improvement and the learners Performance has increased compared to beginning of the year. Michael urged the Programme to continue such that it continues to motivate learners and improved the learning in Melut County of Northern Upper Nile State.
My name is Ammama Alison and I’m thirteen years (13) Old. I’m now studying in Al salaam primary school and I’m in Class five (P.5). Before Coming to Juba, I was staying in Mundri, Western Equatoria and that was before the fighting. When the fighting worsens my parents was murdered and for that case I was brought to Juba to stay with my grandmother. I have stayed for one (1) year without going to school (Schooling) due to lack of tuition which she was not able to raise. Since we came to the Internal Displace People (IDPs) camp, life became difficult because we don’t have something to survive with, no scholastic materials and payment of the tuition was really not easy for my grandmother because I keep on telling her I want to go back to school. She didn’t give up because she even wants me to study. So this year she tried to raise some money and this make her able to pay my tuition though people started in February and I resume school on March this year, I’m really very happy because I met new friends and sharing discussion with the teachers this makes me forget the past that’s why am continuing with my education. When these Organization Support for peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) came with their support of distributing scholastic materials, I feel happy and giving much thanks to them and they have realize what is affecting our studies in the Internal Displace Person (IDPs) Camp. I wish they shouldn’t stop, they should continue with this Programme of supporting the schools and through the little earning of my grandmother, I hopefully belief I will finish my secondary education and even go up to University.
My name is Elizabeth Gisma and I’m 17 years Old studying in Al Salaam primary school Juba. Before Joining Al salaam, I have stayed two years without Education due to the political conflict that has taken place in the country. I fled Torit and came to Juba now am staying with my auntie. My mother fled Torit, Eastern Equatoria to take refuge in Uganda mean while my father stayed in Torit. Life was hard for us because we were force to run away from school and we were scattered in the bush but now in Juba the life is fair compare to Torit. I’m doing minor micro business and that’s helping me in payment of my tuition. I appreciate the support from Support for peace education and development Programme ( SPEDP) for their basic scholastic materials distribution to the school and this has reduce for me some other cost. Now I can still feel that I have the opportunity to complete my dreams of becoming a doctor in future such that I can help my family and community at large. I urge the organization to continue with their support and understand the sufferings of the people that’s really good, may the Lord protect and lift them with their work.
My name is Sunday Richard and I’m fifteen (15) years Old. My parents separated in 2010 when I was still young and I was left with my uncle who was the only one taking my responsibility. When I was in Yei River State before coming to Juba, I was in Primary Six (P.6) and it was my Uncle paying my tuition. My father proceeded to Khartoum after their separation and my mom lived in Juba with my two young sisters. Last year August when the conflict worsen in Yei, Unfortunately my Uncle was murdered and I was left alone don’t even know where to go.
I was in doors with my neighbor; because I know my mother contact I borrowed phone from the neighbor to call and narrate what has happen to my mother. Follow our discussion , she told me to go to taxi park empty handed and ask for my lift to Juba and she will pay the cash when i reach but the drivers refuse to help me due to lack of cash. My tears fall and I start crying thoroughly because I really don’t know what next I’m really going to do. Unfortunately another driver saw me crying, he came and asks the reason why I’m crying endlessly like that; I told him what has happen and the situation I was going through. He and the turn boy pleaded to bring me to Juba and my mom paid their cash after we have arrived. Reaching Juba, situation change from bad to worse because my mom doesn’t have a good job to earn enough for my tuition and I’m yearning to study. She do daily job of washing utensils which is not enough to buy us food so sometimes we sleep with the left-over she is bringing from the restaurant. I joined her in the Job and save up to One thousand and Six hundred South Sudanese pound (1,600 ssp) during my labour in the restaurant for washing utensils. Early this month, I consulted al salaam primary school head master concerning the tuition for upper classes; he told me the amount was three hundred and twenty five south Sudanese pounds (325) per term. After finding out the price is fair and I can afford from the money I have saved; I paid the tuition for three terms and I resume with my education. Though I’m continuing with the Job duties after school to support some of the needs; This Organization Support for peace and Education Development Programme ( SPEDP) and their working partners has help me a lot in their support for the school. The distribution of scholastic materials and porridge school is cooking through their support is helping students to attend class on daily basis and it has also help me a lot because it reduce the cost of scholastic material for me. I wish if they continue with the Programme, my ambition of completing senior four (S.4) will be great achievement because it’s my expectancy.
