Future through education: school education and children's center in South Sudan

Background information

The level of education in South Sudan is one of the lowest in the world. Around 73 percent of the population cannot read or write. Under these conditions, it is difficult to successfully advance personal careers. Boys and young men in particular, who are unable to attend school, are exposed to the high risk of having to take part in the conflict as child soldiers. According to the UN, almost 20,000 child soldiers have been trained in recent years. It is particularly difficult for girls to attend school. They are often taken out of school after elementary school and married off. This is largely out of necessity, as it is no longer possible to provide for all family members. The bride price often helps families out of financial hardship. The children's center offers the pupils education, food and a family atmosphere. A "safe haven" where they can also be children. PCOSS provides numerous services here that the state does not offer. In the first year, the children stay at the center, are taught there and receive intensive care from professional educators, as many suffer from trauma. After that, the children go to the surrounding state schools in Renk. The school fees are paid by the home. The children receive meals and have confidants, and homework supervision is also offered.

Project goals

The PCOSS educational programs give children and young people the opportunity to shape their lives according to their own wishes. Some of the children later have access to higher education. The knowledge they gain enables them to lead their lives more independently. They can also play an active role in social processes and decisions. Thanks to their education, the children are later able to lead a self-determined life.

Target group

After 20 years of working with boys in Muhaba, girls were admitted to the Children Center for the first time in 2018 and accepted into the "Muhaba family". This includes a safe place for children and young people and support with their education. In the first year, the traumatized children are cared for in the home in order to overcome their trauma and open up. Since the girls' school house was completed in 2023, 24 girls have had room to sleep and study in the house.

Activities

The PCOSS Department of Education implements the following activities:

• Creation of "zones of peace" for children.
• Strengthening primary and secondary schools as well as teachers in order to raise the level of education.
• Care for children growing up without family support
• Trainings for school staff concerning new teaching methods and school administration
• Care and support for socially disadvantaged children at the children's center

Project progress

Im Jahr 2025 wurden 22 Schülerinnen und Schüler besonders unterstützt: 14 legten die Abschlussprüfung der Grundschule erfolgreich ab; und acht Schülerinnen und Schüler konnten in die erste Klasse der Oberstufe wechseln.

Das Dach des Schlafsaals für Jungen wurde renoviert und die acht Zimmer sind nun wieder von Schülern bewohnt.

Bei dieser Renovation gewann die Verwaltung der Schule wichtige Erkenntnisse für die Planung. Einige Bauteile mussten nachträglich in die Planung einbezogen werden. Zudem fehlte eine Notunterkunft für die Jungen während der Bauzeit. Auch dies wird Teil künftiger Planung von Renovationen sein, um den Schüler*innen auch während solcher Baumassnahmen die nötige Unterstützung zu gewährleisten.

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