EMPOWERING FUTURES
In a country where education opportunities can be so limited, especially for those from economically constrained backgrounds, the past three years as a coordinator at Undying Hope have given me the privilege of working with some truly incredible students, leaders at various levels, and school authorities. I have collaborated closely with local schools to identify students in need who, beyond receiving financial assistance for education, also benefit from the emotional and academic support necessary to excel.
This includes offering counseling and guidance while maintaining open lines of communication with the students, school authorities, and UHI top management. Each student I work with has an inspiring story to share, and it is my responsibility to ensure they receive not only scholarships and educational resources but also the motivation to keep striving—even when the journey becomes more challenging.
Financial instability, one of the region’s major problems, makes securing
consistent funding for educating children by their families difficult. Most families can’t
afford to feed themselves let alone send children to school. But all these challenges make
every success all the more meaningful. Every time I see a student receive their diploma or
continue their studies, defying all odds, I am reminded of the impact education could have on
individuals and communities and how Undying Hope contributes to this.
I can never forget the beginning of 2024 when I was informed by the top management that
there would be no new scholarship awards this year due to a lack of sufficient funds. This was
hard news to break to the students who were hopeful for assistance. In the end, though the
organization was not able to provide as many new scholarships as it had planned earlier, it
was able to support four (4) Medical school students who were in their final year of study and
will be graduating late next year. For Undying Hope to come through for them at such a
critical time meant they could concentrate on their final year of study and for this they will
forever be grateful. With the deficit of healthcare professionals in South Sudan, this would be
a great and impactful addition too.
Such support to students in economically challenged South Sudan isn’t about individual
success but rather about creating a ripple effect throughout an entire community. For these medical school students, success in education will mean leadership that brings change in healthcare access for families and communities. When young people are given the right tools to succeed, you’re not just changing lives but building a better future for a nation such as South Sudan.
If you believe, as I do, in the transformative power of education, then I invite you to join us
in this mission. Together, we can create more opportunities, open more doors, and empower
more students to make their dreams possible. Whether through a financial contribution,
volunteering as a mentor, or just telling others about our work, there are many ways to get
involved. Your involvement, no matter how big or small, helps us to continue making an
impact on lives across South Sudanese communities both in the country and beyond. Let’s make
that change together
