Impact Southern Sudan focuses on refugees returning to their homeland in the Kajo Keji district after 25 years of civil war. International Teams is working to establish micro-enterprises in the area, build schools, support widows and orphans, purify contaminated wells, care for lepers and the disabled, and support the spiritual development projects of our partner, the Sudan Evangelical Revival Movement (SERM).
Background: Southern Sudan
Southern Sudan is a war torn country, having endured 25 years of conflict between the north and the south. To add to the devastation, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has been recruiting child-soldiers and wreaking havoc village by village for years. Sudanese people are caught in-between, with nowhere to go but Northern Uganda, which is only marginally more stable. Thousands have fled their homeland on foot, carrying their possessions on their heads.
Things have stabilized in the past three years, with the civil war finally drawing to a close and the formation of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS). The LRA have largely fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, although their threat still remains. Sudanese are now returning to their homeland by the thousands, to find nothing. The joy of returning has been spoiled by uncertainty about the future and by the lack of infrastructure. Buildings have been leveled. There are no schools, no churches, no houses, and no water. Worse, land mines were planted. The fledgling government is struggling to gain a footing.
International Teams' Involvement
Pedal Power for SERM Evangelists - Motivated to help, International Teams partnered with The Sudan Evangelical Revival Movement (SERM) led by Enoka Dumo, a Sudanese pastor who oversees a 40 year ministry of evangelism, preaching, teaching and discipleship throughout this war torn country. SERM is a group of Christ-followers who, despite their hardships, are excited about Jesus and want to share the good news of the gospel with surrounding tribes who have never heard. Approximately 70 SERM pastors are cooperating to rebuild the spiritual infrastructure of their country. Some travel on bicycles (purchased by International Teams) for hundreds of kilometers, to tribes unknown to most of the world. International Teams' ministry is based in the Kajo Keji district, where the Evangelical Revival Movement Ministry Centre facilitates training and pastoral counseling for hundreds.
Building Schools - International Teams, in partnership with the SERM, constructed the Revival Nursery School, which was completed and officially opened in November, 2007, with a registration of 179 children but a capacity for 400, as refugees return home. Three other schools (primary and secondary) are under construction, in response to a recognized need since children are currently meeting under mango trees, which doesn't work well in rainy season! Construction of the Logu Primary School, the Jalimo Secondary School and the Gaderu Primary School will be completed in 2009 with plans to build three more schools in future: the Wudu Primary School, the Bori Primary School, and the Leikor Primary School.
Bio-sand Water Filter Micro-Enterprise - To ensure future sustainability, International Teams encouraged the Revival Movement to begin its own business initiatives. In 2007, International Teams established a bio-sand water filter micro-enterprise. Four nationals were trained in the construction of bio-sand filters and in business management. They are building and selling bio-sand filters and bottled water. In addition, a water quality team was trained to test for contaminants in area wells. Approximately 250 water sources were tested in the Kajo Keji area and 171 were found to contain e-coli bacteria. It is no surprise that more than half of the patients using local medical services suffer from water related illnesses. The new water quality team has been trained to decontaminate wells and to train people in the use of the new bio filters. For more information about our water purification project please visit www.enviro-stewards.com.
Sustainability Projects - Also under construction is a bottling plant needed to house approximately 10,000 water bottles produced as a result of the bio-sand filter water micro-enterprise. Mango drying racks are being built so that this food source may be preserved out of season and a tilapia pond is being dug. Also, a grist mill and grinding block were constructed. Recently a concrete block making machine, a gravel crusher and a pick-up truck (for water bottle delivery) were purchased.
St. Bartholomew's Orphanage - St. Bartholomew's Orphanage, founded and directed by Susan Tabia, and the International Widows Association for Southern Sudanese Refugees focuses on the problems facing widows and orphans in southern Sudan. "Mama Susan" leads a community of 200+ poor widows, 100+ orphans, a number of elderly and disabled people, and a group of lepers in the area surrounding Kajo Keji. In spite of many hardships and constraints, these widows are working hard to build their community. In 2007, crops were grown (cassava, sorghum, sweet potatoes, vegetables and peanuts), food was supplied to the orphanages. Mama Susan has indicated that her major challenges are unfavorable weather, drought and lack of a tractor. At present she plows with oxen. In 2007, International Teams partnered with Lahash International to construct a tailoring school for the Widows Association. Prior to that, the sewing machines were stored outside under a make-shift roof. International Teams plans to construct a water tower and solar pump, support leprosy medical care, and purchase a tractor as funds become available.
Child sponsorship - Child sponsorship for St. Bartholomew orphans is available through our partner Christian Horizons. To find out more, visit their website:
www.christian-horizons.org/sponsorshipindex.html.
Community Computer Centre - Future initiatives include facilitating a youth-run Community Computer Centre operated on cell phone technology. This initiative will provide employment, communication, infrastructure and online education.
The International Leadership Training Program - Also, International Teams plans to support the International Leadership Training Program of Sudan in 2009 depending on funding. This program, currently running in Uganda, provides leadership training for pastors and church leaders. Anne Mwanga's program of healing to refugee pastors enables ministry to the wider refugee community through teaching and practical hands-on experience.
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Listen to Learn Institute International - Listen to Learn Institute International, an International Teams program, provides impoverished African Pastors and church leaders in remote areas with audio recorded Biblical teaching translated into the indigenous languages of Sudan made available on MP3 players.
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Conference Hall and Guesthouse - International Teams would like to construct a Conference Hall and Guesthouse that would be operated by the SERM. This facility will provide space and accommodation for seminars and conferences for Christian leaders who are currently meeting under make-shift tarps and under trees. When not in use for conferences, the facility will provide income generation as a hotel.
Future Rehabilitation Program - Finally, International Teams plans to support (as funds become available) the Revival Movement as they attempt to help the physically challenged with a Rehabilitation Program designed for them.
Impact Southern Sudan
