Education: The Change Agent

The first weekend here in Bor has been busy, filled with meetings with people Carol and Daniel have identified to work with us on PESS' HIV/AIDS and Hygiene Management Program and Sanitary Pad Production Program.

Sunday was church service early in the morning. Three hours long! (So, that's where my African American ministers get it!)

It was a lovely service at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Some of the children performed songs and dances and Daniel and I were asked to speak. We brought greetings from PESS and our Denver friends and supporters from across the U.S.

Earlier in the weekend Daniel gave me a tour of his neighborhood and showed me where bullet shellings from the "crisis" in December 2013 are scattered on the paths and bushes.

There hasn't been any violence between the leading tribes recently but it's never far away. Sunday night a bull horn blared an announcement throughout town - fighting broke out as a result of a cattle raid about 35 miles north of Bor. Reportedly, five people were killed.

But as the night lingered and children rested the night before the first official day of school ... parents are hopeful the peace holds so they can keep their children in class this year.

(Later I'll write about child soldiers who are returning home.)

When we recently met with the Dean of College of Education at John Garang University early Monday morning, David Malual. He's excited to have his teachers and students from the university join us for the HIV/AIDS and Hygiene Program.

There's a common theme in speaking with the education community here in Bor. They want transformative change. And they believe education is the change agent. Young and old are hungry for knowledge.

Seems like PESS is in alignment with the goals of the community when it comes to education.... and leadership!

Meantime, back at Daniel's compound, his lovely sister Ayen prepares a delicious meal of rice, lentils and kisra (paper bread). And Ajah, Daniel's cousin joins me for dinner. I don't think I will starve here!

Tamara