Tag Archives: independence

Education Is Priority For World’s Newest Nation

Just over a month has passed since South Sudan observed its first Independence Day. After years of brutal civil war, this occasion was welcomed with joyous festivities and celebrations. Now that the dust has settled this new nation must begin building its future and one thing is certain: education is key.

Statistically, a Sudanese girl is more likely to get married before the age of 15 than she is to finish school. With a new country’s future at stake, this statistic has to change. Lieutenant General Daniel Akot, the deputy speaker of the national assembly in South Sudan, is calling on his partners to pass legislation that will make it possible for all children in South Sudan to attend school. He was recently cited in the Guardian Development Network proclaiming just how important education is for the future of this new nation. “We have won the war with our enemy. Now the real war of fighting poverty, ignorance and hunger has started. We can’t achieve this when our children don’t go to school,” he says.

With two million South Sudanese children out of school the government is now tasked with improving the country’s infrastructure, as well as recruiting dedicated teachers that can help shape this young generation of students into tomorrow’s leaders.

Girls at the Ayak Anguei Primary School

Fortunately, our beloved partners at Project Education Sudan are on the forefront of this mission. PES will celebrate their first class of graduating girls this year! We’d like to wish their students at the Ayak Anguei Primary School good luck as they prepare to sit for final exams next week!

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South Sudan: The World’s Newest Nation!

Americans across the country spent this past weekend celebrating Independence Day, marking 235 years of freedom with fireworks and festivities, just days before one African nation is celebrating their independence for the very first time.

On July 9, 2011 the Republic of South Sudan will emerge as the world’s newest nation. This comes after last January’s referendum in which the vast majority of South Sudanese voters chose to split from the North and declare their own independence. Preceded by decades of brutal war that left more than 2 million dead, this occasion marks a fresh beginning for the people of Sudan. While tensions remain high, with growing violence in the northern and southern border area of Abyei and the Nuba Mountains, a new nation prepares to welcome this historical event with hope for a peaceful future.

A schoolgirl at Project Education Sudan smiles at her high test score

This occasion means a great deal for our partner organization Project Education Sudan, which is now located in this new nation. “We are very excited about our partnership with the South Sudanese in working alongside them to provide what their new country is in need of: sustainable education. We are especially proud of the communities we work with in supporting girls education in a country where only 1 percent of girls have access to primary education and less than 1 percent graduate from secondary.”

 

Despite the challenges ahead, a fresh generation of young idealists are ready to lead their country into the future. Carol Rinehart, founder of PES, believes that “education is the only way this new country will move into a free and democratic state. The Ayak Angeui Girls’ Primary Boarding School is setting a precedent for others to follow by promoting girl’s education and future female leaders who will play a major role in building their new nation.”

We celebrate this occasion with our partner as they help build a promising future for the girls and women of South Sudan, who will be among the first to celebrate their independence!

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Thailand’s First Female PM, South Sudan Set for Independence

Thailand elects first female prime minister
A big first happened in Thailand over the weekend: After a few years of unrest and unhappiness with the country’s military-backed government, the people of Thailand have elected their first ever female prime minister. Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the head of the Pheu Thai party, was elected on Sunday. She holds a Master’s Degree from Kentucky State University, and prior to becoming the Pheu Thai party’s leader, she worked for many years in marketing and business. Read more over at New York Mag.

Guardian lists worst countries for women
A recent Reuters survey revealed that Afghanistan is the worst country in the world for women to live, based on its high levels of targeted violence against female public officials and extreme poverty. Also within the top five, in descending order, were the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, India and Somalia, all which appeared on the list due to maternal mortality rates, sexual violence, and religious practices that are harmful to women. Here at STF, we truly believe this news and the dismal conditions in these countries are all the more reason to work toward increasing the quality of education for women—you can read more about the survey and the state of these countries in the Guardian.

South Sudan Set to Declare Independence July 9
On July 9, the Republic of South Sudan will declare itself an independent country, after a decades-long civil war. Get the quick facts from Reuters here, and check back this week for more in-depth coverage on the Aspire blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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