My Visit to the Solidarity Teacher Training College in Yambio – 2019 Blog Part 3

During my visit to South Sudan last spring, one of the places I visited was the Solidarity Teacher Training College in Yambio. Like in the rest of the world, education is a valuable commodity in South Sudan, and those privileged enough to attend school are more likely to have a chance to escape poverty. Lack of education also makes it more likely for people to join tribal gangs and turn to violence.

Thankfully, to date, Solidarity has offered part-time, four year in-service programs to more than 2,000 teachers across the country, and this number is only expected to grow.

Aside from Yambio, Solidarity Teacher Training College also has a campus in Malakal. Unfortunately, this school is currently not operational after repeated instances of vandalism and damage due to civil unrest. The Yambio campus welcomed the Malakal students to take their classes there, and they are currently fully booked at 140 students for this semester.

The Sudan Relief Fund has helped Solidarity accommodate this large student body by providing assistance with construction of the school and granting $150,000 to cover operational costs.

Sister Margaret, Deputy Principal of Solidarity Teacher Training College, explains how the Sudan Relief Fund is helping provide the school with the resources it needs to succeed.

Also located in Yambio is the Catholic University of South Sudan. While students are able to get a certificate at Solidarity Teacher Training College, CUoSS allows them to attend accelerated classes to get a degree. The university’s administration in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, has negotiated with Solidarity to formulate a curriculum that is certified by South Sudan’s Department of Education.

Dr. Bono, the former Minister of Education and currently the head of the campus, was kind enough to meet with us during our visit and show us around the new school grounds.

Education is a valuable asset to the people of South Sudan. Those who donate to the Sudan Relief Fund are helping us build schools, pay teachers, and overall improve communities in this war-torn country. By teaching teachers to be teachers, they not only help themselves, but save their communities, help rebuild their towns, and help everyone become productive members of society, which contributes to the overall healing of the nation. With our donors’ continued support, we can continue to make a massive difference.