Children raising their hands in class
Protecting Children From the Food and Educational Crisis Caused by Conflicts
Two years have passed since the outbreak of military clashes in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, we still see fighting in various regions throughout Sudan. According to a UN report, there are about 8.6 million internally displaced persons, and more than 3.8 million refugees abroad. In addition, 74% of school-age children don’t go to school. In the South Kordofan region (where JVC still has a presence), the armed forces blocked roads that restricted aid delivery and the movement of people, essentially causing a catastrophic famine. The situation for vulnerable children is also worsening with the increase of street children.
Activities in 2024
Providing a safe and secure learning space for children
We operated the supplementary schools in six areas for children who lost educational opportunities due to the conflicts. We provided children with textbooks and notebooks. We also supplied equipment for each school, such as blackboards and mats for children to sit on, in order to improve the environment for learning. We offered classes on fundamental subjects, as well as classes on mental care and hygiene management taught by social workers. We also offered a recreational program once a week (sports, singing, dancing, drawing, drama), providing a time and place for children to enjoy their youth. We also wanted to improve the nutrition support and school attendance rate, so we provided food services in tandem with other organizations.
Children taking a class
Building a foundation for local residents to take the lead in supporting education
We organized a youth’s group in the area where we operated supplementary schools. Together with voluntary guardians, we watched over the schools, got water, cleaned the school’s areas, and followed up with any absentees. To follow up the absentees, we visited each home of the absentees with social workers where we enlightened the guardians, and even accompanied them to medical facilities. As a result of these efforts, the school attendance rate significantly improved. The young people who got training in each region were seen to work more devotedly for their communities. They participated in planning and operating enlightening activities to convey the importance of education, delivered clothes to other children that had been repaired, and participated in cleaning activities in various hospitals.
Members who take a youth training
Emergency distribution of sustainable seeds
In Kadugli, prices rose sharply due to the supply shortage driven by conflicts, and people couldn’t cultivate enough food needed to survive the unstable situation. The “Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)”, a report by a United Nations body, warned the situation in Kadugli as a “state of emergency”. In response to these circumstances, JVC distributed seeds and seedlings of sorghum, peanuts, cowpea, and native species of okra to 250 households throughout four highly impacted areas. Locals not only consumed the harvested crops, but also sold them in the market to earn money, and even stored certain amounts of seeds for the next year’s cultivation. This all proved to be instrumental in supporting the lives of every affected family.
Farmland where the distributed seeds are cultivated.
Achievements in 2024
Preventing the right to education from being unjustly taken away
89% of the registered children finished supplementary school despite living in an unstable situation. They acquired basic academic ability, improved their social skills, and showed increased motivation in learning. At the ceremony of completion, they conveyed the importance of education to about 4,800 local attendants by confidently performing poems and plays. At the teachers’ meeting, they exchanged information on what was successful for each of them. This improved the overall quality of education, and promoted diversity by positioning both Christian and Islamic teachers in the schools. Eventually, when the regular schools are reopened, those children who have finished supplementary schools should be welcomed back to the regular schools without any issues. We will continually support children and their quest to receive an education by coordinating with the Ministry of Education and its schools.
Children and their guardians sharing joy at the completion ceremony
Children enjoying sports
Teachers planning their lessons at the JVC’s office
Children showing their dance at the completion ceremony
Voices and Messages
A woman, who cried during the training, worked actively for children
Asawil ARUAMIN
A participant in a training session for the youth
Because I wanted to contribute to my community, I joined a training for the youth. After finishing it, I became more conscious of teamwork, cooperation, and coexistence. When young group members were told that there was a problem in the community, they accepted the challenge and successfully solved it. Since then, I could feel that local people have changed their image of young people to a more positive one. Specifically, they work together in running a cleaning campaign, repair torn clothes of children, and provide meals for poor families. Once, I knew of a drunken young boy that hit a child and used violent language. However, after counseling him at home, it turned out that he was in a tough situation. After some time, he stopped drinking and now has a respectable job. I greatly appreciate that we had the opportunity to attend the training and learn from experienced facilitators.
Voices and Messages
Never forget the spirit of “residents first” even in emergencies
Ismail JUMA
Local staff of Kadugli office
South Kordofan in Sudan has long been influenced by conflicts. These conflicts result in severe economic situations, low school enrollment, and low literacy rates compared to other states. Given the circumstances, the community must come together and support the education of children in order to build a better future. We try to minimize the operational costs of our office, so we can reimburse expenses as much as possible for the community. JVC does not support everything for the community, and it is the community that should take the lead. When desks and chairs were provided by JVC, it was the community that paid the transportation costs. After the supportive organization withdraws, it is the local people who will take charge of education and development. For these reasons, we think that a human resources development program, such as the youth training, is very important.
