Barnes in Common

the magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
March/April 2007

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News from the "Under Tree Schools" charity in Southern Sudan

Students singing thanks

It is good news that the peace is holding in the South of the country, quite a different situation to what is happening in Darfur. People are keen to rebuild their lives and the infrastructure of the South after four decades of war. There is a semi-autonomous government in the South. Yet the reality is that the Northern government is not delivering what was agreed at the Peace Agreement two years ago, especially not sharing the oil revenue with the South. The country is coming under increased international pressure, also from within Africa as President Omar al-Bashir was again bypassed in his bid to become chairman of the African Union because of the conflict in Darfur.

Mr Salva Kiir, the Vice-President of the Government in the South is involved in brokering a Peace Agreement between the Government of Uganda and the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army. It is in everyone's interest to bring stability to Northern Uganda so that the LRA doesn't retreat into Southern Sudan often creating insecurity. The Khartoum government has exploited this conflict.

As the peace is holding in the South, business is returning to areas that haven't been linked much with the outside world. For our work, this means that we can purchase most building materials for the building of our new school inside Sudan, thus reducing transport cost and manoeuvres across the border.

It also helps immensely that Joseph is working in the South, he has worked in Juba since October as Head of Religious Affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan. So he can oversee our project on the ground. The start of building work to create the new school is on schedule. Three builders have been contracted and three assistants for Barnaba, the coordinator. Orders have been placed both for the brick making and the stone gathering. Materials such as timber and iron sheeting will be bought and transported to Malek at the beginning of February, hopefully to arrive a week later. Joseph will be travelling with them to oversee the beginning of construction and laying of foundations.

Let's continue to pray for stability both in the North and South. This is an exciting time to rebuild people's lives. With their enthusiasm, physical labour and your help together we can work towards giving children a head start in very difficult circumstances.

Thank you for your support in so many ways, from practical help to donations. We are thrilled to receive enough funds to enable the first building phase to start now.

The next stage will include the classrooms, so we are into our next fund-raising chapter!

If you would like more information, visit www.stmarybarnes.org and click on the link to "Under Tree Schools" or get in touch with Karin Ayok-Loewenberg (020 8255 8459). If you consider a donation, please make use of the Gift Aid declaration, it can be printed off the website.

Karin Ayok-Loewenberg, Trustee

Under Tree Schools Charity number 1117679

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