Students in Lakes state not discouraged by obstacles to education
By Manyang Mayom
October 26, 2010 (RUMBEK) – Insecurity caused by cattle raiders and militia, lack of equipment and long distances to walk to school have not discouraged students in Lakes state, South Sudan.
Sometimes he has to miss school due to heavy rainfall, when there are clashes between cattle raiders or when there is military activity in the area.
When this happens China says he “feels scared” and remains at home. As well as instability, students in South Sudan face many challenges.
Many pupils in the south have to walk long distances to attend classes, as transport is often poor and teachers are often underpaid and discouraged.
Despite the challenging environment some students like China remain motivated to learn and have big ambitions for the future.
China attends Hope and Resurrection senior secondary school in Atiaba payam [ward] in Rumbek East county. He says that he wants to become a doctor to help Sudan recover from its civil wars.
All areas of Sudan have suffered during the civil war from lack of food, medical care and injustice, he said.
The south’s conflict with the north began even before Sudan gained independence in 1956.
Despite some periods of peace southern movements have fought against various Khartoum governments over political representation, economic marginalization, identity, secularism, religion and resources including oil.
A 2005 peace deal ended the north-south conflict but did not end violence within Sudan.
Cattle rustling, inter-tribal violence and the southern army’s disarmament campaign continue to cause instability.
China hopes that by studying he can become a doctor to help South Sudan.
“I need to become a doctor to save the nation of our people,” he said.
“I came from poor family and I don’t need such situation of poor to continue in South Sudan”.
His mother, Rose, is from Equatoria and his father from Bor, Jonglei state and works as pastor in a church. Rose is a supervisor at Akot payam medical hospital.
She said that sometimes as he experiences difficulties with other children on road to school because he is not from Lakes state.
His mother says that as his father is “from Bor and I am from Equatoria” sometimes school boys pick fights with China on his way to school.
“Rumbek East county is not peaceful community – they like to fight quickly without reason that cause clashes,“ said Rose.
China says that his parents hoped he is successful so he can look after them when they are older.
“I will do my best in the future to build them a nice house so that they can forget war […] I know also that my mother suffer a lot in fetching water and cook vegetable[s] to sustain our life during the struggle.”
He said that all students should go to school no matter the challenges.
Hope and Resurrection School deputy headmaster Cleous Bwambale Tinkasimire told Sudan Tribune that the school was very proud of China.
China has always led the class in his behavior and results, averaging over 70% in exams the headmaster said.
He encouraged other students saying they should double their efforts at school and to not return to war saying that, “we have lost a lot of innocent people for unclear reasons”, in southern Sudan.
On 9 January the people of South Sudan will vote in a self determination referendum to decide whether they want to remain as part of a united Sudan or create their own state.
It is widely expected that southerners will vote for secession.
(ST)
$iong mayom
Students in Lakes state not discouraged by obstacles to education
Congrats China, you seem like a committed fella. All I can tell you now is ” keep it up”. Don’t let anything get into your way, sky is your limit as they say. Our new nation will need hard workers like you so bravo and continue with your education.
John Costa
Students in Lakes state not discouraged by obstacles to education
Thank for the work the reporter has done. It is always authentic to read story like this one.
junub
Students in Lakes state not discouraged by obstacles to education
China????????????
Bol Bol
Students in Lakes state not discouraged by obstacles to education
I think this is where GOSS should step in try to donate vehicles to some schools so that they could be able to pick up students who live far away from them.
Young Nation
Students in Lakes state not discouraged by obstacles to education
“Rumbek East county is not peaceful community – they like to fight quickly without reason that cause clashes,“ said Rose.
It is true that no community on the face of our globe is composed entire of good or bad people. The same could apply to both Rumbek East, and Equatoria plus Jonglei where both Rose and China’s father Mayol come from. My take on her comment in relation to her general description of Rumbek East is terribly wrong, judgemental, collective, and unfounded.
Young Nation is a citizen of Rumbek living in Brisbane, Australia