Jonglei community raise funds for development projects

June 30, 2013 (BOR) – A fundraising event in Bor, the capital of Jonglei, has raised 84,000 South Sudan pounds for development projects including maintenance of waterways in South Sudan’s troubled eastern state.

Hundreds of people attended the event, which was organised by Bor town’s mayor, Nhial Majak Nhial.

Those who attended donated 20,090 SSP and $200 in cash, with a further 64,550 SSP pledged by government officials and businessmen.

According to mayor Nhial the total collection was 84,640 SSP (around $21,700) which will go towards clearing blocked waterways, maintaining roads and building culverts to help drainage. Such fundraising efforts in South Sudan are known harambee – the Swahili word for fundraising.

Jonglei’s deputy governor, Hussein Maar, urged the community not to block waterways in the town as it becomes stagnant creating an environment mosquitoes thrive in. This in turn increases the spread of Malaria and prevents water from reaching rivers.

Maar asked all Jonglei’s residents including children and foreign nationals to contribute to Bor’s development and cleanliness.

To residents who did not donate for the development fund, he asked why they had 5 SSP to spend on alcoholic drinks but could not spare any money for projects to help the community.

This one of the several fundraising forums that have been held in Bor for development purposes.

Two years ago, a bigger harambee was held raising 300,000 SSP to contribute to the construction of an outpatients department and renovate the oldest wards at Bor hospital.

Since last year South Sudan’s government has imposed severe economic austerity measures following its decision to halt exporting oil through neighbouring Sudan over a transit fee dispute. Before the shutdown 98% of South Sudan’s income was through oil revenues.

(ST)