Last Mango in Bor

The final week in Bor and it’s a busy one!

PESS South Sudan Country Director, Daniel Majok Gai and I met again with Bor County Commissioner, Abraham Mamer Ruk to follow up and give him a final report on the HIV/AIDS Youth Leadership and the Sanitary Pad Production Programs. He was impressed with our three month project and with the number of pupils we had in our training classes: approximately 45.

Even though he was busy and preoccupied with “security issues” in Bor county he took the time to express his desire to support and work with PESS. “I hope you (PESS) come back and provide even more programs.”

Daniel and I also traveled to Pagook, Daniel’s home village and one of the areas PESS supports girls’ education and builds classrooms.

During the crisis in December of 2013 everyone fled the quiet village of Pagook as their homes were set on fire, cattle stolen and approximately more than a dozen killed by the so-called rebels. Where there were once family tukuls (homes) now grows prairie land.

But the community is rebuilding and starting to come back home. That’s why PESS is committed to making sure students have classrooms to come back to. “So many buildings were burned down and destroyed but people are rebuilding and we are building classrooms which will be ready to open soon… when people come back,” said Daniel.

In fact, four new PESS classrooms have just been completed.… thanks to the hard work of  David Malual Gai.  In February he researched the cost and availability of construction materials, went shopping with me and Daniel for the materials, and worked with and managed a small crew to build the four classrooms within about a month.

The highlight of the week of course was the last few days of the sewing program. Frustrated frowns turned into bright smiles as the women and girls developed their sewing skills.

The hum of sewing machines were accompanied by singing. The women and girls harmonized and sang songs of praise. It was magical to see and hear them sewing and singing music. Their songs of praise illustrated how happy they are to be learning a skill that will transform their lives.

Many of the students are getting the hang of operating the machine and sewing the sanitary pads. One high achiever and PESS sponsored girl, Anai Agau Anyang, a Sunlight Primary student, even sewed a skirt and top all on her own earlier in the week and wore it to class. She has never sewn anything in her life… ever! So, of course we had to have a fashion show! Abuk Auen Ayuen played music from her cell phone while Anai walked the fashion cat walk and twirled the bottom of her dress. Then others joined in on the fun. Even Daniel strutted his fashion style (keep your day job, Daniel – lol!)

Then it was time for our graduation ceremony. Each woman who completed the course received a certificate and a gift bag containing brand new sanitary pads sewn by women in the U.S. and other personal items.

We were honored to have not only the director of Langbaar Modern Academy, Kuai Chier Kuai and the school’s principal, Khames Obo, but a representative from the Ministry of Education’s office was also a guest speaker.

Each one encouraged the women to not just complete their studies but to also go on to become leaders in their own way in their communities and throughout South Sudan. “It is said that if you educate a woman, you educate a nation. This is very true, especially here in South Sudan,” said Mr. Obo. He also made a commitment to carry on the sewing program by encouraging the students to form a club at Langbaar and the other schools to teach others who were not able to take the PESS courses.

David Majur, a health care specialists and one of our team members said he and Rebecca Ding Mau, our other health care professional, will take the model of the entire program (both the HIV/AIDS Awareness and Menstrual Management) to other parts of the community and Jonglei state. “We can’t keep this tool for ourselves. We must make sure everyone is getting this information and knowledge.”

Then it was the students’ turn to make comments. Nearly all 28 women and girls wanted to express their appreciation for the program. Our tailor, Athieng Alier Ding who helped teach the pupils, although very shy, spoke eloquently in Dinka about how the sewing program has already begun to change lives, pointing out Anai as an example.

Deborah Ayor Mabek, a student from John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology who is also extremely shy spoke to the entire class as well for the first time. “Thank you so much to Daniel, Tamara and PESS for bringing this program to us. I never thought I would ever be able to learn how to sew.”

After the testimonies and words of encouragement each school and the community of  Pagook was given sewing machines, scissors  and all the notions and tools they need to continue on their own. Christmas in the springtime! Hugs and even tears rounded out the day as the sun began to sink into the horizon and we said goodbye.

At least once a week I have a mango cosmopolitan, sans the cosmo part. And at the end of this last week in Bor I relished over my last Mango in Bor …. which Ayen (Daniel’s sister who cooks for me) so generously prepared for my last night in Bor. As I reflected on the past three months I thought about the work my brother Daniel and our team has accomplished here in Bor.

But more importantly, I thought about how impressed I am by the work and commitment of the South Sudanese people. In spite of  scorching triple digit temperatures, our pupils consistently attended classes on HIV/AIDS Awareness and Youth Leadership and Menstrual Management as well as the Sanitary Pad Production Program.

They opened their minds to new ways of thinking like understanding how stigma and discrimination can not only hurt an individual but it can also destroy a community.

Policy makers from the county, state and local level have made a commitment to take ownership and see that these programs continue, expand and adapt to more communities and people in Jonglei state and even throughout South Sudan.

And a small village nearly destroyed beyond repair is pulling itself up by its bootstraps…. or sandals… and rebuilding their beautiful community in Pagook.

Despite political posturing at the capital in Juba and with the African Union and the failure of so-called peace talks South Sudanese, at least those here in Bor, are determined, with the support of  Project Education South Sudan, to become an educated, thriving country contributing to the rest of the global community.

The future looks bright as this program has ignited the imagination of the South Sudanese to think about what else is possible.

And PESS will be right there working hand in hand with them. The world’s newest country is still fraught with challenges and a power struggle for leadership continues. But one thing all can agree on: Black lives matter, including those in South Sudan. 

-Tamara

Putting it All Together

This past week it was time to put practice to the test.

The women and girls were thrilled to finally sew their first ever reusable sanitary pads!

They finally saw the practice drills we’d been running through make sense.

Langbaar Modern Academy continues to be our host for the PESS Pad Production Sewing Program. The classroom we typically use is transformed in to a sewing room for the pupils with stations set up in each corner: One area to learn how to apply the snaps with the snap tool, another area to get comfortable using sharp heavy fabric scissors and cut fabric (our ‘practice’ fabric before we cut in to the expensive material brought from the U.S.). And the sewing machines in the middle whirring away!

As frustrated as they once were the women and girls are now elated to finally start putting it all together! They finally finished their first pads and are proud of their work!

At the end of training on Saturday… one sewing student from Pagook, Ayen Gai , stood up and gave a five minute speech (without notes) about how grateful she is for the pad production program. “We no longer have to feel ashamed when we ride a bota bota (motorcycles used for public transportation). I don’t have to throw way our underwear. I will now just add to my collection!”

She was also overwhelmed with gratitude to the PESS implementation team. “David Majur, Rebecca Diing Mau, Daniel Gai and thank you to Tamara Banks for coming from the U.S. to bring this program to us. It will change our lives.”

Next weekend the women and girls will graduate but not before more practice time on the new machines.

-Tamara

Tradition vs. Human Right

It was a very busy week as the PESS team in Bor, Jonglei, South Sudan doubled up their work.

After a lot of persistence and maneuvering we were able to schedule John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, JGMUST to do the theory portion of the HIV/AIDS Awareness Program.

University teachers have been on strike which has hampered our planning and the students are scattered. But thanks to Daniel’s determination we finally were able to make it work by holding night classes during the week for them.

(JGMUST has also sent seven women to join the sewing program. More on sewing mania in a moment.)

Once again, the pupils were completely engaged and eager to learn.

I thought since these students from the university are older than our primary pupils they would be significantly more aware and informed about HIV/AIDS, the reproductive system, etc. Not necessarily so. It was eye opening, for me at least, to see that just because the students are older didn’t mean they knew more about this deadly virus and the importance of understanding, I mean truly understanding, the reproductive system.

However, these students are critical thinkers and had a lot of high level questions about the science of HIV/AIDS. 

But what really surprised me, although it makes sense, is that the older students are more steeped in tradition. For example, when discussing human rights I asked the class, “What is a Human Right?” And, “Do men and women have different rights.” One of the brightest students in the class, Morial Akoon Chok shot up his arm and shouted out the answer at the same time. “Yes!,” He proudly replied.

Really? How so? “Well, girls don’t have the right to inherit property or express their dissatisfaction about sex in their marriage.”

Oh. Alrighty then.

And it’s a man’s right to have multiple wives but a woman does not have the same right (and she shouldn’t have that right… inferred in the tone of discussion.)

It occurred to me we were talking about two different things: Cultural Tradition and Human Rights.

Well, you can imagine this opened up a lively discussion. It’s important to point out that, unlike the primary and secondary students, we had multiple cultures. Of course, Dinka but also students from eastern Equatoria and other parts of South Sudan.

Eventually, we did finally agree that there is a difference between Cultural Tradition and Human Rights. That every human being has the right to an education, to live safe from harm and not be oppressed (even if she is a woman).

Which was a nice segue into the topic of Stigma and Discrimination. Again, a lively discussion. And what do stigma and discrimination have to do with HIV/AIDS awareness? If people are worried about being stigmatized and discriminated against they are less likely to get tested to the virus and worse, less likely to talk about it… even when sharing their knowledge.

Meanwhile, at sewing mania…..

The Sewing Pad Production has been so wildly popular we added an additional day to the program: Friday evenings.

And while the women and girls were excited this past weekend again with the sewing machines the classroom was much quieter this time around. The hard part has begun: Threading the needle in order to actually sew. While most girls in the U.S. (with the exception of me – I was climbing trees and riding horses) take home economics in school, girls here have no such course. And for even the grown women this is the first time they are laying hands on a sewing machine. So, while the exercises are tedious they are important to achieve so the machines don’t break from inappropriate use. And since these machines are new they need some tweaking. Lots of oil …..and patience.

There are quite a few special moments in the midst of the sweaty determination.

Saturday morning a woman came to the classroom door. She had heard her daughter Elizabeth Awal Agot was going to be learning to sew. She just couldn’t believe what a great opportunity this was so she asked if she could come in and watch Elizabeth sew. Mom just beamed as she saw how well her daughter was doing. “I never had the chance to learn,” she told me as David Majur translated. “”This is the first time (for anyone) in our family to learn to sew!”

Changing lives doesn’t always require grand policy and billions of dollars. Sometimes what’s required is a commitment to a community. PESS made that commitment years ago and continues to come through.

Anna Angeth, attending Langbaar Modern Academy and a “She’s The First” sponsored girl said, “We have been looking at that (sewing machines) but we had no way to get it. And now we are very happy to know how to do it (sew).”

As Abuk Ayen Ayen (not a sponsored girl but a fine candidate) exclaimed, “If you know how to sew you can buy your own machine and sew your own clothes. Or you can open your own business which is very good. As a woman your future will become as bright as the sun!”

As if our week could stand another meeting or activity…. Daniel and I managed to get an appointment with the Bor County Commissioner, Abraham Mamer Ruk. It was basically a cold call. No appointment. Be charming and smile. Act like we know what we are doing. All the reporter ‘let’s just walk in and crash the party’ tactics.

Mr. Ruk took us in to his office, ahead of dozens of others waiting to see him. We introduced ourselves and after all the formalities Mr. Ruk said, “Yes, I know all about Majok.” Daniel’s Dinka name. “Because of him and others who went to America (Lost Boys of Sudan) South Sudan became independent. While we are struggling now, at least we are our own country. Majok helped Americans understand the challenges facing southerners and we were able to separate. I have a lot of respect for him.”

Wow!

And then he proceeded to say he is very much aware of Project Education South Sudan and the work the organization is doing. “I am behind the work you are doing to help our country and I will help you in any way I can.”

He even said he would get me a house here in Bor. I passed saying I’d rather stay with Daniel and lovely family when I come to visit ;-)

Mr. Ruk went on to say that education is the key to South Sudan’s future. Glad to know we have big friends in high places…. And most importantly, the Daniel and PESS is getting the respect and support they so deserve.

-Tamara

Controlled Chaos!

Feet pedaling. Hands dashing. Fabric flying. The PESS Sanitary Pad Production Sewing Program is off to a great start!

To say the women and girls are excited about the program would be an understatement.

PESS purchased six brand new sewing machines which will be distributed between Sunlight Primary School, Langbaar Modern Academy, John Garang University and the town of Pagook (one of the villages where PESS first began building schools ten years ago) once the sewing program is complete.

The Sanitary Pad Production Program is the second phase of the current mission here in Bor, Jonglei state, South Sudan. The first phase was the HIV/AIDS Awareness and Menstrual Hygiene Management Program.

Many girls here in South Sudan, if they are allowed to go to school at all, miss several days of class a month because of their menses. Sanitary pads can be expensive and in  cases some girls can’t make it to the market to purchase them because they live in the bush (the country).

PESS is committed to making sure girls get an education and providing them with the skill of sewing sanitary pads is part of that goal.

Joining the team for the month every Saturday is Athiang Alier, a tailor. Thank goodness we are not relying on my sewing skills here. I staple my hems. No, seriously!

The program is so popular and the women and girls want to spend more time learning to sew so we are adding Friday afternoon to the schedule.

It was like Christmas morning when the women and girls from Sunlight Primary, Langbaar Modern Academy, John Garang University and the town of Pagook arrived on the first day of sewing class. Their eyes lit up! Very few know how to sew but that didn’t stop them from jumping in and giving it a try.

In the U.S. we are lucky to have electric powered sewing machines that can do a lot of the work for us. But in South Sudan the tailors use foot operated machines. So imagine pedaling the machine to make the needle move up and down, using one hand to spin the little wheel on the right hand side of the machine and using your other hand to move the fabric around.

Oh, and by the way, it’s about 100 degrees in the classroom! But the women and girls would have stayed until midnight if we'd let them. They truly enjoyed learning this skill… not just as a fun pastime but for making their own clothes… and maybe even starting their own business.

Athiang Alier told me it costs 100 South Sudanese pounds, about $34 USD, just to have a dress made. That is a lot of money for most people in South Sudan.

And good fabric is nearly impossible to come by.

And we learned from Lydia Ngira, Dean of Students and student counselor at John Garang University there a demand for the production of sanitary pads. So, this training is right on time!

The sewing program is for women/girls only but we allowed our brilliant translator ;-), South Sudan Dir. for PESS, Daniel Gai, to join in the fun. A couple of the women from JGU are Kenyan who speak English but not Dinka. There is also an Arabic speaker.

And David Gai and Rebecca Diing our health care experts are wonderful cheerleaders. (David started his career in education as a kindergarten teacher. That patience is coming in pretty handy!)

These young women and girls have big plans for their future. For example, Kuie Achiek Anyang, senior 4 (senior year) at Langaar Modern Academy and PESS sponsored girl is grateful for the sponsorship. She plans on continuing her education and becoming a doctor, “Because in our community there are not many doctors. I will be a doctor to support the children of South Sudan.”

And Yom Ayor, another PESS sponsored girl and  senior 2 (sophomore) at Langbaar says it was great to have the sewing program follow the HIV/AIDS program.

Yom adds, "I learn how to sew I can help other ladies in Jonglei state so they don’t miss school again. Some girls have to leave school because their grades are not good – due to missing school days (because of their period).”

“Thank you, chairman of PESS (for) the scholarship. I will commit myself to continue my education (and go on) to university.

PESS sponsored Anai Agau, 16 years old at Sunlight Primary says she wants to go to university but not sure what she wants to study. She says come back and ask her when she makes it to secondary school.

But she loves the sewing program saying, “I want to learn how to sew so I can make my own clothes.” She wants to look sharp throughout her education!

These big dreams the women and girls have for their future will become reality with the help of PESS’ much needed and desired Sanitary Pad Sewing Production Program.

-Tamara

Graduation Day!

The last weekend of the HIV/AIDS Awareness Youth Leadership and Feminine Hygiene Management Program was filled with high energy!

The students were even excited about taking a Biology Quiz! Understanding T-cells, knowing the exact names and pronunciation of the parts of the reproductive system, and understanding the difference between HIV and AIDS can be a bit of a challenge for anyone. But the students in PESS' HIV/AIDS Awareness program are getting it!

And they want to talk about it.... even brag to their classmates who are not in the program. Some of the students, for example, are taking biology in school right now. Paulino Ngong Alier and Gideon Mach puffed out their chests when they told us how they are ahead of the other students in their biology class discussing HIV/AIDS at Langbaar Modern Academy.

Gideon says he’s grateful, “It’s a wonderful project. I appreciate you coming from another continent. This country, since our independence, is changing. (There used to be a) fear of HIV/AIDS. Girls could not talk with boys about this and menstruation but now there is not fear.  Now with this class, no more fear. And I will tell others about HIV/AIDS (prevention)."

And the students from Sunlight Primary School won't be out done.

Anai Agau Anyang, a PESS sponsored girl, from Pagook, currently attending Sunlight Primary School, told us as she wore her red ribbon signifying HIV/AIDS Awareness, how grateful she was, "Thank you for this program."

Abuk Ayen Ayuen stood up (for the first time ever in this program) and literally gave an impromptu two minute speech about how important this program is and how grateful she is for it. "I'm proud to be here. I think this information will save our lives. I want to be healthy and strong. We need this program to make sure our future is good."

Akur Ayuen Mayen (nicknamed “Obama” because she wants to be like our president – you go girl!) stood up with great confidence giving correct answers to the biology quiz!

Joyce Athieny Awon and Rachel Riak Duot, two of the most quiet students in the program, proudly wore several HIV/AIDS awareness ribbons they’d made.

Neither Daniel nor I could hold back tears as almost each student in their own way (a couple of the boys clowned around and drew an HIV virus on the chalk board with a funny face waving goodbye) shared how they felt about the program and their future.

And they even lingered in and continued to talk after class.

Health care professionals David Majur, Rebecca Diing, and Aja Gai told the students how proud they are of them and encouraged them to think carefully about their health and take their future seriously. “We are counting on you,” said David Majur. “The future of South Sudan depends on you.”

Even the founder of Langbaar Modern Academy, Kuai Chier, joined us to give encouragement saying, “You cannot be leaders in the future if you not healthy today.”

At the end of the students proudly accepted their certificates of completion.

PESS wants the young students to walk away with at least some basic knowledge about how to stay healthy. And they are!

They are armed with knowledge and confidence and they’re ready to pass on their knowledge to their peers, family and community.

Now, on to the sewing program!

-Tamara

Role Playing Leads to Deeper Understanding

With the basic understanding of HIV/AIDS under their belt, it was time to drill down a little deeper to understand the biology of the virus and how it is transmitted.

Just like most of us the students in the HIV/AIDS Youth Leadership Awareness and Feminine Hygiene program pick up complex information when the theories are illustrated in an exercise.

One of the exercises that was not only the most effective but also a lot of fun was the one in which some students acted as adult elephants, one played a baby elephant and another acted as a lion.

The adult elephants, like healthy cells, protect the immune system, portrayed by a baby elephant, from antigens, portrayed as a lion, like malaria, the flu, typhoid, etc.

The last character was the role of HIV.   If HIV attacks the cells (the adult elephants) the immune system is vulnerable, thus becoming sick.... not from HIV but from whatever antigen is attacking the body.

Sound confusing? It was a little.... but the young people got the idea and had a great time fighting off the lion, rather the antigen!

Then it was on to discussing AIDS and T cells.

This discussion was a little weighty, too. Thank goodness for David Gai and Rebecca Diing's medical expertise and Daniel's acting abilities!

Things got very interesting when we moved on to transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

The students' eyes just about fell out of their heads when we told them we were going to demonstrate how to use a condom.

I think they thought we were going to demonstrate how to use a condom!

Fortunately for all of us, a clinic nearby lent us a "model."

The students acted maturely, for the most part, aside from giggles and funny faces from time to time.

Although these young people, again, ages 13 to 20, have seen more in their young lives than most adults in America will ever see, they are still in many ways naive.

Many had never heard of a condom let alone seen or held one. Each student got to open a package containing a condom as we explained how it is used.

We lightened up the conversation by having them blow up the condoms like balloons and then decorate the classroom with them. Soon the energy and room felt like we were decorating for prom!

One of the exercises in which we began to see a real shift in how girls realized their own power is when we asked the girls to explain a female's menses to the boys.

It was exciting to see the girls becoming more comfortable with talking and actually leading the discussion.

The students were divided into small groups of about 4 or 5 and we could hardly get them to stop talking when the session had run well past the allotted time!

We did notice, however, in at least a couple instances, the vast difference, the huge gap between the level of critical thinking between the boys and the girls. Of course, that speaks to how important PESS's work is educate girls in particular here in South Sudan.

All in all, it is thrilling to see the needle move at least a little bit when it comes to girls  realizing their power, boys respecting girls and each other, and the students getting a solid understanding of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention!

-Tamara

Teacher Training

After weeks of preparation in the U.S. and here in South Sudan 10 teachers plus three health care professionals joined us this weekend for the beginning of the training of The HIV/Aids Awareness program in Bor, Jonglei, South Sudan. The leadership at Langbaar Modern Academy has graciously agreed to allow us to host the trainings there every week!
We shared with the teachers, mostly biology and other types of science teachers, the exercises, curriculum, etc. which we'll teach the students. PESS is encouraging the teachers, students and the community... even the government to take the content from this pilot program and incorporate in to their own classrooms, share with friends and other officials and leaders throughout the state of Jonglei and eventually the entire country.

With Daniel's great connections here we invited a representative from the county and the state to open our training this weekend.
In his remarks, John Malueth Aluong, an official with the County office of Education encouraged Project Education South Sudan to continue the work it has accomplished over the years. Mr. Aluong also encouraged the teachers to support PESS's efforts. He said education is the way South Sudan can move forward and become a great country.
 
Many of the teachers in our training course this weekend have another profession. Daau bit Atem is a former soldier. Jacob Matiop Deng is an up and coming journalist. Another teacher is an attorney... and yet anothor, Mary, is a student herself, studying to get a masters in government administration at John Garang University.
 
As we went through the manual (the same one we will use with the students over the next few weeks) the teachers really got animated and excited about the discussion around the cause, origin and spread of HIV and AIDS.
We are fortunate to have joining our team David Majur and Rebecca Deng Mou. Both are professionals in the healthcare world here in South Sudan and were able to back up Daniel, me and the the manual with more detailed science about HIV and AIDS.
For example, the lack of circumcisions here in South Sudan is a real issue, as David Majur explained. The virus and other sexually transmitted diseases can be trapped in the foreskin and spread from partner to partner.
 
Another discussion point the teachers brought up: What is a 100% way not to get HIV/AIDS?
Of course, they all knew the answer. Abstenance (and of course, not exchanging blood and other body fluids through other methods) is the best way to not get the virus.
However, we are not here to preach abstinence (Whew!). Rather we are hear to help empower the people with knowledge, i.e. the importance of hygeine, being honest with your partner, etc.
We also discussed how I.V. drug abuse can transmit the virus.
 
But these science teachers also have compassion in their hearts. We spent a lot of time talking about how to make someone with HIV/AIDS feel comfortable and welcomed in thier community.
This was a great segue in to the chapter on stigma and discrimination. This will be a great topic to discuss with the students: simple things like don't gossip about someone who may have HIV/AIDS, include those with the virus in to your activities at school, and let them share their stories .....and then listen to them.
 
This week Daniel and I are now prepping for the students training which will begin this week.
 
We will have about 30 to 35 students ranging in age from 15 to 20 years old from at least three schools. I've already met some of them, and of course Daniel knows most of the students. They are leaders in their schools. And with this training on HIV/AIDS Awareness and Feminine Hygiene and Leadership Training, the young people will have even more tools in their tool box to take South Sudan to the next level.

Tamara