June 2006 Trip to Southern Sudan:

After a couple years of fund raising, tribal diplomacy, construction planning, and logistical coordination, the Southern Sudan Education Project began the construction of a new school in Southern Sudan this year.

The trip included registering the River Nile Institute as an NGO within Sudan, beginning construction of a school using the Monolithic Dome construction process, and installing an automatic grain mill.

Navigating the legal requirements in Sudan and the U.S. required both patience and diplomacy. Kristy Swapp and Abraham Keech were able to navigate the system though it involved trips back and forth between Juba Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda to achieve the results. The project was also greatly aided by Hamed Ehsani of the United Religions Initiative after funds were blocked by a German Bank who assumed any funds going to Uganda might be for terrorism. David and ken Randle of Utah URI were able to work with the banks and U.S. State Department to unfreeze the funds so that they could be received in Kenya by Hamed.

Once the documents and funds were in order the project proceeded with the process of negotiating with contractors in Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. Then began the drive to Sudan. 

The trip was interrupted with a road out of service so a detour of a two day journey with ten tons of construction supplies and 35 people took the supplies up the Nile river to then be unloaded and reloaded on another truck to finish the journey.

By this time with the delays from the German bank, the impassable roads, etc. the rainy season had come. For this reason the construction was not complete but all the supplies are now in place.

Thanks to a contribution from the high school students at Judge Memorial High School an automated grain mill has been contributed as a bonus to this project. The High School students through their own fund raisers raised $12,000 to purchase the automated grain mill.

The automated grain mill will free up the necessary time so that girls will now be able to attend the new school where before without the mill it was doubtful they would have time.

The automated mill is projected to be installed in January 2007. The 9 classroom School construction is projected to be built in February 2007 though preliminary construction has already begun.

Future goals for the project include installing a submersible water pump and water treatment system, raising funds to furnish the school building, and ship the school supplies that have already been gathered for the project.

Supplies

We will continue to collect backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other basic school supplies. In addition, we will also collect textbooks and other educational reading material to stock a library at the school that can be used by the entire community. We will also provide clothing to the children in the school and possibly uniforms. Schools in the region have used uniforms in the past and have found them to be a motivator for school attendance.  Sports and physical education equipment is non-existent in the region. We will provide sports and physical education equipment including soccer, volleyball, and basketball equipment. We are looking for individuals and organizations that are motivated to sponsor sports and physical education programs at the school in Southern Sudan.


Teacher Support

We will raise funds to provide consistent and adequate support for teachers. Teachers in Southern Sudan are motivated to provide education and it is critical that they receive ongoing financial support and training. We will also provide bicycles to the teachers at the school as an additional incentive. We are looking for people who are interested in sponsoring teachers in Southern Sudan.


Automated Grain Mills and Water Pumps

In addition to school supplies and teacher support, we will raise funds to install an automated grain mill and automated water pumps in the community. Providing these devices will enable more girls to attend school. Automated grain mills could also generate some income for the school. We are looking for individuals and organizations that are motivated to sponsor these projects. If you are interested in assisting us with these projects, please contact us!


School Construction

Annual reconstruction of school buildings is a drain on the community. Although the community has committed to reconstruct buildings for the school, it is the goal of our project to construct permanent school buildings. It is also critical to provide secondary education for the 19 students who have passed the KCPE, the returning refugees, and existing primary school students who will soon be ready for secondary school. Permanent school construction of primary and secondary school buildings will demonstrate solid commitment to education in the region.

How can you help create quality education for the children of Southern Sudan?

Please consider making a contribution to the Southern Sudan Education Project. Together we can create quality education for children in Southern Sudan. Please see our donations page for information about how to contribute to the Southern Sudan Education Project. Thank you!

 

June 2006 Trip to Southern Sudan:

After a couple years of fund raising, tribal diplomacy, construction planning, and logistical coordination, the Southern Sudan Education Project began the construction of a new school in Southern Sudan this year.

The trip included registering the River Nile Institute as an NGO within Sudan, beginning construction of a school using the Monolithic Dome construction process, and installing an automatic grain mill.

Navigating the legal requirements in Sudan and the U.S. required both patience and diplomacy. Kristy Swapp and Abraham Keech were able to navigate the system though it involved trips back and forth between Juba Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda to achieve the results. The project was also greatly aided by Hamed Ehsani of the United Religions Initiative after funds were blocked by a German Bank who assumed any funds going to Uganda might be for terrorism. David and ken Randle of Utah URI were able to work with the banks and U.S. State Department to unfreeze the funds so that they could be received in Kenya by Hamed.

Once the documents and funds were in order the project proceeded with the process of negotiating with contractors in Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. Then began the drive to Sudan. 

The trip was interrupted with a road out of service so a detour of a two day journey with ten tons of construction supplies and 35 people took the supplies up the Nile river to then be unloaded and reloaded on another truck to finish the journey.

By this time with the delays from the German bank, the impassable roads, etc. the rainy season had come. For this reason the construction was not complete but all the supplies are now in place.

Thanks to a contribution from the high school students at Judge Memorial High School an automated grain mill has been contributed as a bonus to this project. The High School students through their own fund raisers raised $12,000 to purchase the automated grain mill.

The automated grain mill will free up the necessary time so that girls will now be able to attend the new school where before without the mill it was doubtful they would have time.

The automated mill is projected to be installed in January 2007. The 9 classroom School construction is projected to be built in February 2007 though preliminary construction has already begun.

Future goals for the project include installing a submersible water pump and water treatment system, raising funds to furnish the school building, and ship the school supplies that have already been gathered for the project.

Supplies

We will continue to collect backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other basic school supplies. In addition, we will also collect textbooks and other educational reading material to stock a library at the school that can be used by the entire community. We will also provide clothing to the children in the school and possibly uniforms. Schools in the region have used uniforms in the past and have found them to be a motivator for school attendance.  Sports and physical education equipment is non-existent in the region. We will provide sports and physical education equipment including soccer, volleyball, and basketball equipment. We are looking for individuals and organizations that are motivated to sponsor sports and physical education programs at the school in Southern Sudan.


Teacher Support

We will raise funds to provide consistent and adequate support for teachers. Teachers in Southern Sudan are motivated to provide education and it is critical that they receive ongoing financial support and training. We will also provide bicycles to the teachers at the school as an additional incentive. We are looking for people who are interested in sponsoring teachers in Southern Sudan.


Automated Grain Mills and Water Pumps

In addition to school supplies and teacher support, we will raise funds to install an automated grain mill and automated water pumps in the community. Providing these devices will enable more girls to attend school. Automated grain mills could also generate some income for the school. We are looking for individuals and organizations that are motivated to sponsor these projects. If you are interested in assisting us with these projects, please contact us!


School Construction

Annual reconstruction of school buildings is a drain on the community. Although the community has committed to reconstruct buildings for the school, it is the goal of our project to construct permanent school buildings. It is also critical to provide secondary education for the 19 students who have passed the KCPE, the returning refugees, and existing primary school students who will soon be ready for secondary school. Permanent school construction of primary and secondary school buildings will demonstrate solid commitment to education in the region.

How can you help create quality education for the children of Southern Sudan?

Please consider making a contribution to the Southern Sudan Education Project. Together we can create quality education for children in Southern Sudan. Please see our donations page for information about how to contribute to the Southern Sudan Education Project. Thank you!