The new project
Now the war is over a permanent school is being built.
Joseph and Karin’s vision is for a school primarily for girls. With their limited resources the Southern Sudanese Government is concentrating on provision for boys. There is a real need for education for girls. At present girls remain locked into traditional roles of cooking and washing with no prospect of advancement. The deaths of Joseph’s sister and two girl cousins all in childbirth at the age of 17 also affected him greatly. He sees what can be achieved by education – helping not only the girls themselves but also their communities.
They see the development of this school into having a base in the area to offer teaching in a wider sense in the future, to equip especially girls with life skills, health education and vocational skills. The school will also be used for Adult Education, TEE courses (theological education by extension) and the chapel will also be used by the local community.
The school has a strong Christian ethos. Joseph ensures that it uses the religious curriculum created by the Government of Southern Sudan. The school aims to work with all church denominations in Sudan, as well as the local education authority.
It is a private school, but one which is fully part of the local community. Joseph has consulted the people of the area very closely and they are very excited by the project. They are helping to build it and oversee its management. The local education authority is also very supportive of Joseph’s plan.
It is in Malek, the main town of Aweil South County in Northern Bahr-El-Ghazal state (see map link on left). Now the war is over people are moving back from the swampland area where they fled to escape the fighting. Malek is a growing town.
