It’s an understatement to say the going is tough in South Sudan and Sudan. Over a million South Sudanese are displaced by internal tribal/political violence. In Sudan the Bashir regime continues to oppress the people of Darfur, the Nuba Mountains and elsewhere. Recently South Sudan was listed as the #1 “Most Fragile” country in the world. The “Most Corrupt” list has Sudan at #3 and South Sudan at #5. When governments fail, the tough “get going.”
Manute Bol, in one of South Sudan’s bet-known individual humanitarian initiatives, flew into a war zone in 1991 where the Bashir regime had cut off and was trying to starve the “Lost Boys.” Manute wept as he saw the Lost Boys’ plight, and had food air-dropped the next day. Many Lost Boys credit Manute with saving their lives. In 2014, Sudan Sunrise has been honored to partner with “the tough.”
Dr. Jok Madut Jok, who is Dinka, lept into action immediately when tribal/political violence erupted on December 15, 2013. With support from Sudan Sunrise, he took food, water and other supplies to the most needy Nuer and others in Juba.
Nyagoa Nuon, Who is Nuer, secured a donation of medicine from a hospital in Nairobi. WIth a grant from Sudan Sunrise she transported the medicine to Juba. Nygoa, like Jok, was determined to cross tribal lines to build reconciliation. She wrote Sudan Sunrise, “Because of your generous donation I was able to do what I was out to do. You are the only one(s) that believed in me.
Daniel Deng Kuot Went to Lakes State where many had fled the fighting, and found cholera was spreading from refugees drinking river water. Thanks to a $20,000 donation, Sudan Sunrise contracted with the Obakki Foundation’s field team to repair five wells.
Repent Daya and Joseph Elionai, South Sudanese living in the US, learned their village of Diko Boma had a classroom tent, but no teacher. They found donors for their initiative, a teacher was hired, and a “one tent” school began operating for the first time in their village.
Bishop Abraham Nhial, who is a Dinka Lost Boy and Episcopalian, called for a reconciliation meeting in the Kakuma refugee camp in May 2014 to bring together Christian pastors from the tribes in conflict. Presbyterian pastors from the Nuer tribe never showed up. Abraham persisted and won the Presbyterian/Nuer pastors’ commitment for a November reconciliation meeting. A week prior to the meeting, tribal violence broke out in the camp and 23 Nuer and Dinka were killed. The reconciliation meeting had to be postponed. With unwavering determination, Bishop Nhial has slated the Kakuma reconciliation gathering for January 2015,, and has asked Sudan Sunrise for funds for transportation, meals and other expenses.