Despite violence, education continues

South Sudan (BGR) — Despite escalating violence in the area, Baptist Global Response worker Isaac Kon will begin teaching primary classes soon in Akot, South Sudan.

Commonly known as “Tomorrow,” he has taught at a Living Water Community Transformation, Inc primary school (an affiliate of BGR) since 2007 when the organization hired him as its first teacher.

Tomorrow even traveled around the area with a local pastor, convincing families to release their children from chores so they could receive an education.

In the subsequent years, Tomorrow has watched the student population grow from 20 to 600, 200 of which are girls. That is an impressive gender ratio for Southern Sudan, where families often want daughters to stay home and care for infants or tend gardens.

LWCT even opened up another school to serve the 600, and in 2012 Baptist Global Response began funding school lunches for both schools. The meals help children overcome malnourishment issues.

LWCT’s Ann Rao says that although the schools don’t have proper buildings, villagers dub them the best in the area.

“Frequently we hear parents say that they appreciate the positive attitude and behavior that our students are displaying in their homes,” she says. “This feedback in itself is most rewarding to our staff.”

Even now, when the political environment surrounding Akot is insecure, Tomorrow and the rest of the school staff are still determined to educate village students.

Rao asks you to pray for LWCT school directors, teachers, guards, cooks, chaplains, nurse, girls’ counselor, pastors, driver/mechanic, sewing ladies, women’s ministry, agriculture leaders, and students as they labor to transform a community.