Education Is Big Deal!

In 1993, at 8 years old, my grandfather decided I was old enough to walk the approximately 6 miles to school alone and learn from Henry Michael. Teacher Henry, as we called him, had completed a second grade education, from where I don’t know, and he taught the children who were just starting school [K-3]. I would wake up wash my face with dirty water and brush my teeth with my (stick) branch of the tree.no breakfast in South Sudan begin the long walk arriving at school between 9:00 -10:00. As soon as we arrived at the tree, all the students would have to clean the area by sweeping with elephant grass, set up the rocks [our seats] with space in front of them for writing [paper], gather sticks [pencils] for writing, counting, and arithmetic. The master on duty would beat the drum at 11:00. It was time for prayers where we would call on God, who is the giver of wisdom and knowledge, this was our sign it was time for class to begin. Different classes were set up around the mango tree for different levels of learning, like primary grades. Teacher Henry would speak in Moru, our tribal language, but we had to learn in English. I learned the alphabet, numbers, body parts, animal names, shapes and many other general English words. Teacher Henry would teach us, give us an assignment and make us practice in the dirt, while he moved to the next class under the tree to teach. When it was time for a student to take test, all students would leave from under the tree and he would call you back one by one and asked you questions to see if you had learned the lesson he had given. School was Monday through Thursday until around 3:00pm and we had no water or food during our school, unless you brought some with you. On Friday, all of the students and their families had to pay for the education by going to Henry Michaels tukul and working in his garden. There was a rotating schedule because there was also a garden to be worked at the school. We would be tested once every month during the school year. At the end of the school year there would be a big festival using the food grown in the school garden and each student would receive their grade and promotion status in an announcement to the people. Festival was a big deal and I worked very hard to learn my lessons so I could move on to the next group under the tree. Still to come next week.

Education Is Big Deal!

Learning in South Sudan was a big deal. In order to survive, I had to learn how to live off of the land. Families (grandparents, parents, children, sisters, brothers) live together and work together in the jungle. South Sudanese girls grow-up learning by helping their mothers and the boys learn from their fathers. Due to severe poverty, war and lack of education, villages have no power, no roads, no running water, no stores, etc. This requires the men and boys to sit around a fire at night and tell stories to learn from one another. Everybody in the family, no matter what age, has a role to play in living in the jungle. The littlest might sweep the dirt around your tukul, watch over the goat or feed the chicken, that is, if you have one. As I got older, my tasks and duties would increase with my skill levels. I learned at a very young age from my grandfather teach me how to dig a garden and how to fetch water from the nearest creek. Education has always been a priority in my life and my grandfather constantly encouraged me to learn. A school was set up in the place where the church would meet on Sunday. I would watch the older children leave for school and I could not wait until it was my turn to go. This story to be continued.....

Adventure.

Yesterday i was asked to go for the adventure with my friends. We all gathered and the instructions was given to us about what we are going to do and how it is going be like. I am so exited because we are going to cook out and eat a nice food in the camping grand some where in the woods of Alabama. We hit the road as we are heading south; the road we took begins to end and as we go deep and deeper the light also begins to fade very fast. I come to my mind that this is it!!!!. Shortly we reach the distention and every body was happy. As i look around i show fire was build and i can not express how happy i am. Students began to have fun and eat; after that it is already late and we need to get out there. On our way back my Chinese friends were stacked in the sand and their car can not move. Every body was trying to help but have no idea. Some started digging and the more they dig the more car goes deep in the sand. But i came up and said to every one that we need to stop digging and let us push the car back wards. This experience of pushing car when it stacked was some thing i knew in African many time we have been pushing car out of mud due to our road system. After applying this system we are able to get car our of sand in a minute. My experience in South Sudan in those past year is still helpful today. Everything that God has let you through in life has purpose. I have more to come turn on for next week. Blessing and peace.

Get Crosses.

What a year!!! This year has been very busy and even i could not remember that we are already in September. God is great in all his ways and he have given us all the blessings that we do not even deserve. As time is going very fast i have come up with an idea that we can do some thing together in each month to bless those who are in needs. So for this month i have taken some time to make hand made crosses to help our brothers and sister in South Sudan. If you wanted to be part of what God is doing in that Area you are welcome to get one of this crosses it only cost $15. I will send you one and make sure that you will pay extra money for shipping. Send us email impartinghope@yahoo.com for your order. Know that the money will go direct to help the farming that we have started last may. Thanks