Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sudan #1
Jeremiah 12:5 "If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? ...
One of the most amazing things about the work of MY SISTER’S KEEPER in southern Sudan is the fact that the KUNYUK GIRL’S SCHOOL, THE WOMEN’S PEACE SCHOOL, and SISTERHOOD FOR PEACE, all ongoing and viable initiatives, were started by a small group of women with no money and little humanitarian experience, but with a great synergy for God and with a lot of help from the Boston community.
Originally there were six of us (Gloria, Ashley, Cynthia, Melinda, Pat, and I) who conceived an idea, created an NGO, made the visits, raised the funds, drew up the plans, hired the staff, oversaw the work and built a school on the other side of the world. That miracle planted the seeds for an adult literacy program and peace advocacy group, two initiatives that are growing by leaps and bounds. It was an auspicious beginning, but only the first step in the exciting journey of MY SISTER’S KEEPER’S as we take part in the process of peace and restoration in southern Sudan.
Traveling in southern Sudan this week, a group of us are officially onto the next steps. This delegation led by MSK program director Sarah Rial, includes global education and public policy specialists Dr. Holly Carter, Marilyn Quarcoo, and Niama Green. Our plan, which will include visits in Juba, Wau, Kuajok and Akon, is to encourage and help move forward MSK’s “on the ground” peace advocacy work and assess the progress and challenges of our education programs. Both are big jobs. In order to do them effectively and efficiently we need as much help as we can get. That’s why traveling with Holly, Niama and Marilynn is so important and that’s why we scheduled our very first meeting with Molly Williams Senior Program Director of World Vision Southern Sudan. World Vision is one of the largest Christian relief development and advocacy organizations in the world, serving the poor in 100 countries. Molly, , from the Boston area, joined us for cokes and conversations shortly after we checked in at Juba’s New York Hotel. We wanted to find out why WV is so respected and cherished in Southern Sudan.
I love talking with idealistic and spirited young people who have so much passion for this part of the world. Molly has been in Juba only four months but has done humanitarian work in other parts of Africa and has a real heart for the people.
What inspires me most about WV is its progressive mission. It is not focused on the evangelical missionary tradition that emphasizes proselytizing but instead works on a more progressive Christian missionary model of service. WV’s holistic approach of helping families and communities out of poverty includes programs in health and nutrition, water and sanitation, education and peace building. We are learning that this concept of community development is the only way to really support people in this part of the world. WV has worked in southern Sudan for more than two decades.
During our brief meeting on a relatively cool Sudan afternoon, Molly and WV’s Southern Sudan operations officer Arthur shared invaluable information about the importance of collaboration among the NGO’s working in this area. Southern Sudan is a huge region with critical needs. Its people live in remote villages scattered all over the place. There are hundreds of organizations working here, building schools, hospitals, developing clean water programs. Considering the regions harsh terrain, isolation and lack of infrastructure, I’m sure that many of these NGOs probably sought each other’s help out of necessity. The result has been a win-win for everybody involved.
We ended our meeting with Molly and Arthur with a promise to keep connected. They have graciously offered to advise and assist us in expanding our efforts in education and peace advocacy. We plan to take them up on their offer.
I often joke that MY SISTER’S KEEPER has succeeded on sheer will and masking tape. In truth, we have come this far by faith. We serve a God who cares and works unceasingly with us to build His kingdom. And now God is calling us to do even greater works. Peace in Sudan is possible and MY SISTER’S KEEPER has earned its place at the peace table. We bring energy, creativity and love to this effort. With the help of new friends, we are ready for the next steps in the journey. And what an amazing journey it is.
One of the most amazing things about the work of MY SISTER’S KEEPER in southern Sudan is the fact that the KUNYUK GIRL’S SCHOOL, THE WOMEN’S PEACE SCHOOL, and SISTERHOOD FOR PEACE, all ongoing and viable initiatives, were started by a small group of women with no money and little humanitarian experience, but with a great synergy for God and with a lot of help from the Boston community.
Originally there were six of us (Gloria, Ashley, Cynthia, Melinda, Pat, and I) who conceived an idea, created an NGO, made the visits, raised the funds, drew up the plans, hired the staff, oversaw the work and built a school on the other side of the world. That miracle planted the seeds for an adult literacy program and peace advocacy group, two initiatives that are growing by leaps and bounds. It was an auspicious beginning, but only the first step in the exciting journey of MY SISTER’S KEEPER’S as we take part in the process of peace and restoration in southern Sudan.
Traveling in southern Sudan this week, a group of us are officially onto the next steps. This delegation led by MSK program director Sarah Rial, includes global education and public policy specialists Dr. Holly Carter, Marilyn Quarcoo, and Niama Green. Our plan, which will include visits in Juba, Wau, Kuajok and Akon, is to encourage and help move forward MSK’s “on the ground” peace advocacy work and assess the progress and challenges of our education programs. Both are big jobs. In order to do them effectively and efficiently we need as much help as we can get. That’s why traveling with Holly, Niama and Marilynn is so important and that’s why we scheduled our very first meeting with Molly Williams Senior Program Director of World Vision Southern Sudan. World Vision is one of the largest Christian relief development and advocacy organizations in the world, serving the poor in 100 countries. Molly, , from the Boston area, joined us for cokes and conversations shortly after we checked in at Juba’s New York Hotel. We wanted to find out why WV is so respected and cherished in Southern Sudan.
I love talking with idealistic and spirited young people who have so much passion for this part of the world. Molly has been in Juba only four months but has done humanitarian work in other parts of Africa and has a real heart for the people.
What inspires me most about WV is its progressive mission. It is not focused on the evangelical missionary tradition that emphasizes proselytizing but instead works on a more progressive Christian missionary model of service. WV’s holistic approach of helping families and communities out of poverty includes programs in health and nutrition, water and sanitation, education and peace building. We are learning that this concept of community development is the only way to really support people in this part of the world. WV has worked in southern Sudan for more than two decades.
During our brief meeting on a relatively cool Sudan afternoon, Molly and WV’s Southern Sudan operations officer Arthur shared invaluable information about the importance of collaboration among the NGO’s working in this area. Southern Sudan is a huge region with critical needs. Its people live in remote villages scattered all over the place. There are hundreds of organizations working here, building schools, hospitals, developing clean water programs. Considering the regions harsh terrain, isolation and lack of infrastructure, I’m sure that many of these NGOs probably sought each other’s help out of necessity. The result has been a win-win for everybody involved.
We ended our meeting with Molly and Arthur with a promise to keep connected. They have graciously offered to advise and assist us in expanding our efforts in education and peace advocacy. We plan to take them up on their offer.
I often joke that MY SISTER’S KEEPER has succeeded on sheer will and masking tape. In truth, we have come this far by faith. We serve a God who cares and works unceasingly with us to build His kingdom. And now God is calling us to do even greater works. Peace in Sudan is possible and MY SISTER’S KEEPER has earned its place at the peace table. We bring energy, creativity and love to this effort. With the help of new friends, we are ready for the next steps in the journey. And what an amazing journey it is.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]