Today 9th July 2011 the newest country in the world, South Sudan, will be formed as Sudan splits into two as the south gains it independence. Mothers’ Union has a vital role to play in helping the newest country in the world reach its goal of economic independence, and empowerment of a future generation through the education of women and children.
Already local Mothers’ Union women are helping thousands of displaced families returning from exile in the north, or fleeing tribal and cross-border violence. Will you support Mothers’ Union bring peace and hope to South Sudan?
The new country will be one of the most impoverished in the world. Years of civil war mean there is a weak infrastructure and massive poverty. This fragile system is further overloaded now with a huge influx of people seeking to return from the north before the final separation of the two Sudanese countries. Yet the Southern Sudanese are overwhelmingly excited. After years of civil war, during which and estimated 2 million people lost their lives, they are finally gaining independence and the right to govern their own affairs. This is the country in crisis but also on the brink of a huge opportunity for change, and the mood is definitely one of excitement.
Urgent funding needs
The Episcopal Church of Sudan, and with it Mothers’ Union, will remain as one overall provincial unit covering both Sudan and South Sudan. As a force for outreach and as a tool for peace and reconciliation between the two separate countries the Church and Mothers’ Union have a vital mission outreach to undertake. Mothers’ Union members are working with almost nothing, to bring support to families traumatised by war and violence.
In recent weeks Mothers’ Union have received requests for funding for essential relief from four areas in Southern Sudan where local Sudanese members are helping displaced families. Rebecca Ator Vor, one of Mothers’ Union’s Coordinators writes that there are more people coming into the towns than anyone can count. People are living without shelter, food or basic essentials such as soap or blankets. Mothers’ Union Sudan are supplying food, cooking utensils and blankets, but need your help to do more.
Creating a sustainable future
In the longer term, the greatest impact Mothers’ Union will have across both Sudan and South Sudan will be through its empowerment of women. A goal of the new nation is to increase the percentage of women in leadership roles. In a country where the majority of women have had little or no formal education, this is an important goal in which Mothers’ Union are playing a vital role.
Through Literacy and Financial Education Mothers’ Union is equipping women across much of Sudan and all South Sudan, to read, write, and run small businesses. Funding from Comic Relief, will cover the costs of 50% of the programme over the next four years but we still need support for this essential work.
Mothers’ Union trainer, Cecilia, who has herself lived in displacement camps and fought hard to get an education, says “To me born in the war, it [South Sudan] gives the hope of a better future, without the sound of guns and bombs. It means prosperity to me and an opportunity for my children to have the freedom to exercise their God-given potential fully.”
Help Mothers’ Union bring relief and development to South Sudan and Sudan.
Giving £11 enables Mothers’ Union to provide soap and flannels to a displaced family
Giving £14 enables Mothers’ Union to provide 20kg of maize to a displaced family.
Giving £52 enables Mothers’ Union to give cooking utensils and water containers to 10 displaced families (70 persons).
Giving £250 either as a one off donation or through regular giving enables Mothers’ Union to train a local facilitator to bring education to marginalised communities who have not had access to formal education before.
Contact:
The Administrative Officer
The Mothers’ Union Office
St. Michan’s Church
Church Street
Dublin 7
Tel: +353 1 873 5075
office@mothersunion.ie