Rebuilding South Sudan Schools
Moses Joknhial II, a Sudanese refugee and now a U.S. citizen, and his sponsors (Tania Hicks, Rhonda Morse, and Fr. Warren Shoberg) have been traveling the diocese to talk about his effort to build a simple school in South Sudan, in work that was begun at Holy Apostles, Sioux Falls.
The project goal is to construct a permanent school building in his home community of Panyang, South Sudan, Africa, nurturing peace and rebuilding people’s lives through education after 21 years of Civil War which killed 2 million people, displaced 4 million more, and virtually destroyed the country’s infrastructure and economy.
Because of that war, Moses was forced to leave his family and country when he was nine years old. He lived in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya for 14 years. Because of it, he and 2.5 million others did not receive basic education. In 2001, he was one of about 3500 “Lost Boys of Sudan”, who was given a permanent home in the United States through a refugee resettlement program. Since his arrival, he has availed himself of many educational opportunities and expresses his gratitude for these.
Sudan’s Civil War ended in 2005. With peace, people are returning to their destroyed villages. With peace, the opportunity is now for these people to rebuild their lives and communities. Through his own experience, Moses believes education is of utmost importance in helping his people in this process.
In his home village in South Sudan, school is held outdoors under shade trees. Classes are usually dismissed from April-November because this is the rainy season. A permanent school building will enable students to attend school year round. Through education, people’s lives and communities can be rebuilt and peace sustained.
The school building will consist of eight classrooms and one administrative office for the teachers, and will provide primary education for males and females, children and adults. The building will cost approximately $50,000, and an additional $12,000 will provide for the construction of a bore hole for a supply of clean water for the school and the surrounding community.
Construction is planned to begin in December, 2008, when Moses hopes to visit his home village for a few months to oversee the project during its initial construction.
Please join Moses in fulfilling his goal by contributing toward the costs of construction, making others aware of his project, offering your time and talents. Tax deductible donations may be made to the Diocese of South Dakota, earmarked “South Sudan Education.”
Ronda Morse (one of Moses’ sponsors)
Holy Apostles Church
1415 S. Bahnson
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
Here's what some people are doing --
“Rebuilding South Sudan Through Education”
The project “Rebuilding South Sudan Through Education” created by Moses Joknhial
II, is a project designed to build a school in Moses’ home village in the Sudan.
He left his village at age 9 and was a Lost Boy of the Sudan until he came to
the United States in 2001. He has received his education here in the United
States and is desirous of giving back to his community. The presentation he
gives is so moving that help for this project seems to have a life of its own.
Everyday I find new people willing to lend a hand to fundraising or other help.
The students at Hanson School in Alexandria, SD have taken on many fundraising
events to help Moses Joknhial’s Rebuilding the Sudan project. Moses came and
spoke to the students on March 18 and since then the students have been working
hard to raise money for his project.
The sixth grade girls were inspired by his presentation and approached me about
a fund-raising effort. They were most anxious that the girls in the Sudan be
given a chance for an education...they couldn’t imagine not being equal to or
better than the boys! After working through several ideas, they settled on a
penny drive. They will be working from April 7 to May 1 and have challenged the
school to see which class will bring in the most pennies. They are graphing the
coins by weight to see who the “winner” will be. They are very excited about the
idea of helping and couldn’t wait to get started. Every Friday they collect the
buckets and weigh them before school. So far, they have collected 103 pounds of
assorted change and many dollars in bills. One of the staff members took a flyer
and a bucket to work and is collecting money there, as well. The two Hutterite
Colonies served by the school are also participating in the coin drive.
The Student Council has jumped into the project as well and will be sponsoring a
Pizza Hut night, where 20% of the night’s proceeds goes to Moses’ project. They
are excited about helping and contributing to this global project.
All of the students have been so willing to work and contribute. It has been
amazing to watch this project grow. As people hear of the story, they are more
than willing to lend a hand. The parable of “give and you shall receive” is
never more true than in this story. Moses gave of himself and his story and
people are so willing to see he receives the help he needs, which in turn will
help the people of a small village in Africa.
At St. Mary’s Church in Mitchell, there are ongoing projects to benefit this
cause as well. There are coffee sales going on which benefit two causes. The
coffee is bought from Mexico, where independent farmers are creating a market
for themselves and improving life in their village. When the coffee is
purchased, the price of the coffee is returned to the farmers and the profit
goes to benefit the Sudan project. Parishioners are also purchasing note cards
which will benefit the project. Recently, the Outreach Committee voted to
continue its support of the project when the school is built by sending needed
supplies to the school children and to support Moses as he begins his project.
This project is on-going and all of our hands and hearts are needed to make it
succeed. Moses will be leaving in December 2008 to begin the building of the
school and we need to see that he has the materials and money he needs to
realize his dream.
This project has such a life of its own...won’t you find a way to help?
Margaret J. Muller
K-6 Special Education Teacher
Hanson School District 30-1
Alexandria, SD 57311
Margaret Muller