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Barnes in Commonthe magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
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Under Tree Schools – Southern Sudanby Fiona Smith
We are all well aware of the effects of war and deprivation in Africa from the frequent harrowing pictures on our television screens. Famine and refugee camps in Darfur have been well documented, but perhaps the long running war in Southern Sudan and its devastating effects are less well known. Southern Sudan – the Christian region of this vast country – was at war with Northern Sudan for 20 years. In January 2005 a peace treaty was signed and the situation is changing, with the rebuilding of a war torn country. The long years of war contributed to the loss of education for a generation of children and mass illiteracy. Very few schools were able to function during this period, and many children were recruited as boy soldiers. The Under Tree Schools (UTS) project was started in 2000 by Joseph Ayok-Loewenberg to provide basic schooling for children from 6-14 years. Joseph comes from Southern Sudan, and worked for many years as a CMS mission partner in the region. He then worked with Sudanese refugees in Egypt, and is now assistant Priest to the Barnes Team Ministry. Under Tree Schools currently provide for 1,000 primary/early secondary children. Classes are held under trees and equipment is simple – blackboards and some books. Unlike the children of Barnes, many of these children walk long distances to reach the school. There are 29 teachers who are all voluntary and come from the local area. UTS also supports some students with scholarships through their A levels at colleges in Nairobi and Uganda. Now that there is a Peace Agreement the Under Tree Schools (whose administration is based in the UK and is about to become a registered charity) plan to expand provision for education for 14-18 year old girls. This will involve the building of a new secondary school, teachers' quarters, a facility for vocational training, and a chapel. It is anticipated that development will be in phases over the next few years. Funds need to be raised for this project and St. Mary's PCC has agreed to support this work in Sudan as a major part of its Mission strategy. Various events will be arranged, and it is hoped that local people and other churches in Barnes will be supportive. It is not just money that is needed, but the support that comes from personal links. It is hoped to arrange visits from supporters, trustees, students in their gap year who wish to visit the region, and to develop a programme for older volunteers with skills to offer to spend time working with the schools. This is a new chapter in the history of Sudan. This country has suffered the longest civil war in Africa. Generations have not experienced life in peace and a settled existence. This is an exciting project which will benefit future generations of children in the area and will offer a positive contribution to the development of a war-torn region. |
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