Save the Children to start working with returnees in Lakes state
By Manyang Mayom
February 20, 2011 (KAMPALA) – The non-governmental organization, the Save the Children in Lakes state had stated that their “new program” with returnee children in remote areas of the South Sudan state.
South Sudan has seen as mass return of people to the region ahead of its independence in July, following a referendum in January.
The assistant manager for Save the Children in Lakes state, James Otto Alino, announced the project on 18 February during his visit to returnees camping at Comboni Primary School in Rumbek.
Otto said that his organisation plans to establish what he called “child-friendly spacing”, explaining that the program is designed to enable children to take part in different kinds of sports, drama and dances besides other educational activities like lessons in English language.
He said that the program will kick off when the returnees are permanently resettled, adding that his organization is in touch with South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) in Lakes State regarding the timeframe for permanent resettlement of the returnees.
Otto also said that his team is already responding to other needs of the returnees, explaining that Save the Children has donated a tent for children and has conducted workshops targeting not only children but also parents.
The workshops, he said, have covered issues of child rights and child protection as contain in the Child Act, clarifying that the context in South Sudan is different from North Sudan where they have come from.
Otto appealed to the local community to be hospitable to the returnees, explaining that showing a good heart to the returnees by community members would ensure integration.
He also said that he is opposed to the suggestion of establishing separate schools for returnee children, arguing that mixing the resident with returnee children will greatly facilitate the much needed integration of the returnees into the local community.
The resettlement of returnees in Lakes state has taken longer than previously thought and promised by authorities.
Up to 200 returnees are still camping at Comboni Primary School in Rumbek awaiting permanent resettlement, a situation that is going to create logistical difficulties if not duly addressed given that the school is set to reopen in 10 days.
(ST)
Peter Mading
Save the Children to start working with returnees in Lakes state
Otto, do not be fooled by the returnees. They are citizens of Lakes State and all of them have relatives in Lakes State. Infact many of them especially parents were born in Lakes State.
Because, they became aliens of the North that is why you see them isolate. The returnees of 2006 and 2007 looked now like ordinary citizens of Lakes State whom you could not believe that they were returnees. Those small small things NGOs are providing them with will not satisfy their needs.
Do not fish money from donors for the seek of returnees when 99% of the total project cost goes back to you foreigners.
I know very well that what goes to target beneficiaries from the project fund is below 1%.
Just tell the SSRRC and the State Government to settle them as soon as possible. That comboni school is to be emptied and remained cleaned.
That habit of holding and implementing projects should seize after independence. What will be required from you is technical guidance, support and external monitoring and evaluation of the projects. You shall distance yourselves from Management because you are taking alot from the projects in South Sudan.