Governance, Grain and Research
The euphoria of the new nation has already been stiffled by the tough circumstances that this new land faces. Due to a blockade by Northern Sudan on trade coming to the South, prices have rocketed especially in cities nearer the Northern border (such as Wau).
Grain is beyond the few pounds that families can gather together. With no secondary schools in the villages (except for Marol’s S1 class), families have tried to save all they can to send their sons to school in Wau. However, this means they must also save enough money to pay for their son’s food. As the food prices have soured, these school pupils can no longer afford to eat. There have been protests in desperation.
When the raids came in May, one of the chiefs of Gogrial East was amongst the dead. His home was far northeast in the county and his attempts to defend it saw him killed in the relentless attacks. Therefore, this season has seen the appointment of his replacement (as well as the appointment of a new chief for another area). This appointment of new leadership has bought with it inter-community tensions.
As Marol Academy organises its own leadership and governance to last the school through this next generation, I hope that these tensions do not interfere with Marol and pray for protection for those children and gives them a chance to learn. Marol sits on the boundary between two communities, both of which have children craving education.
This week I head to Juba to do a little work to earn a few pennies. I fly on Wednesday night and head to Juba as soon as I can get a visa (prayers for this are much appreciated). The work is on the idea of “community” and will inform strategy for the for an organisation in South Sudan for the decade ahead. I am growing in awareness of the macro level influence good research could have and am praying for the wisdom to have a good impact, however small it might be. Yet, I would really appreciate prayers and peace as I try to balance the various demands.
I also seem to miss the village more than ever at the moment. Lots of me wants to go home.
