Justin lined up a radio talk show on Good News Radio. It included Justin, the head teacher, Jean and me. It lasted nearly 90 minutes. There were even call in listeners. It went back and forth between Dinka and English. The idea was to talk about education and culture using Abukloi as the model. The station is in Rumbek but the program was broadcast in their other 7 stations as well. Other than the room being absolutely suffocating, it was a good experience, a first for me. Today we had the privilege of meeting the new governor of Western Lake States, Solomon. He arrived on Saturday, just a few days ago. This would not have happened but Justin is a friend to the governor, a man much older than Justin, referring to him as one of his boys, like a son. Let's all pray that he does well in this position. Today is our last day in Rumbek. Tomorrow morning we fly on a UN flight to Juba. We have several things to accomplish there. Then we fly to the US on Saturday.

I taught a class on Monday. 16 students representing all four grades at Abukloi School attended. In the morning, I taught a class on health and sanitation with a focus on diseases common to South Sudan. Students had the opportunity to practice good hand washing techniques. We also had a brief review of human anatomy, and students were able to take each other's blood pressure and pulse. In the afternoon, I spoke about responsible sex and healthy pregnancy. Luckily, a local midwife helped me. It was a very lively conversation, and many cultural myths were dispelled. A pregnant woman who worked in the compound was kind enough to let us use her bell to listen for fetal heart sounds. The training was well received. Hopefully, it enlightened the students on healthy lifestyles and responsible sexual relationships.

Schools in South Sudan do not have science labs. Even universities here do not have science labs. This means students learn theory but not practical. When it comes to science , I am the least of these, so to speak. I talked to science teachers in the US and got some very helpful ideas. My suitcase had Borax, baking soda, vinegar, etc.plus copies of experiments I found on the internet. Armed with these resources I asked our science teachers to meet with me. We were joined by five more teachers from another secondary school. I was nervous that they would be disappointed that I know nothing about science. But the day turned out wonderful. The teachers embraced the concept of non-traditional experiments and they worked well together. My most memorable image was the teachers trying to catch a lizard. They had put a string noose on a stick and a group of three of them went chasing them, up trees and into cracks of the walls. Finally, one was captured, lions next. They really enjoyed dissecting the lizard. One of the teachers from the other school said, "I am having so much fun!"

Today Jean And Marg went to two churches. The first was the Anglican Church. As soon as we arrived they placed leis around our necks. Our friend, Bishop Peter, introduced us to the Archbishop of South Sudan. Bishop Peter graduated from Abukloi in 2017. Their church building included benches made of logs and two simple pavilions, Two large tress provide shade. The only music was drums. Their were dignitaries present from the church and government. Yesterday we gave Bishop Peter's wife money to purchase rice and beans. This is a land of have little and have nothing. From there we went to the Pentecostal Church.

It's raining! That may not seem like much to share but its is here in South Sudan. Rainy season is supposed to start in April but here it is the last day of May and still little rain, if any. Most families plant only in the rainy season because there is no bore hole near the cultivation. If it doesn't rain, there is no food, really, no food. I was here two years ago during the level four famine. It was a desperate situation and people remember it with great fear. There simply was no food for many people and very little for others. Even our teachers who are paid, went without food for 2-3 days trying to assure their own children had at least something to eat. School often ended early because teachers were too hungry to teach and students too hungry to learn. Some students just dropped out. Many people were sick, malnutrition took away any defense of disease. Women could not produce milk for their babies. It is no wonder people here look up to the big blue sky with nothing but fluffy white clouds with a sense of worry. So celebrate the rain with me. Join me a happy rain dance!

Today we met with the man who oversees Rumbek University and opening the Catholic University here in Rumbek. The university is called science and technology but they have no labs. Their plan was to transport the students to the university in another city. They did that once but it was so expensive they could not repeat it. It has been three years with no experience in a lab. We talked to him about partnering to ask USAID to provide a grant for a lab that could be shared by the universities and secondary schools in our area. Next week I will share with our science teachers experiments that can be done without a fancy lab, kitchen items, home school type. Thanks to Katie Fliegler, Mindy Kelly and Kate Ewalt for their assistance. We will see if I am up to the task. I have got to be one of the least knowledgeable educated persons in the area of science. Pray for me and our teachers!

I have been thinking about something a midwife told Jean and me last week. She said that anemia is a problem here. It is due to ulcers. When asked she said ulcers come as a result of hunger and worry. We in first world countries often think people in developing countries have adapted to scarcity and hunger, that somehow it doesn't bother them. I think it helps us take some of the sting out of the fact that parents can't feed their children. But this local midwife's statement tells me otherwise. Hunger and worry.

This is Jean Dobay. This is my first time in South Sudan. i am amazed at the passion that the South Sudanese have for their country, and their desire to bring the newest country in the world into the 21st century. The women are especially strong and determined to lift themselves up. One of the biggest problems that the women face is the dowry tradition. The male members negotiate the sale of the daughters by the groom's family paying in cows. Grooms are selected by the male family members, and the girl has no say in who or when they will marry. This has reduced their ability to be educated. Where most schools dismiss girls who are married or pregnant, Abukloi encourages those girls to attends their school. Abukloi is not only changing lives, it is changing the society of South Sudan.

Today was so much fun! We met with some of the 2018 graduates who are recipients of micro loans. Of the 75 graduates 66 completed a business proposal. Of those, 36 were part of one of the 6 businesses selected for funding. They include 3 agriculture, 1 retail, 1 dress making, 1 carpentry. One of the students said, "we are covered in a very big happiness" They will work with our Director Justin and business teacher, Deng Henry. And they will meet with last years recipients to learn from their mistakes and successes. Thanks to all our donors for making this possible. If you would like to be more involved in this, please let me know. I'd be delighted to talk to you. Marg

It took us 3 days but we finally arrived on Tuesday in Rumbek, South Sudan. There was a group of about 50 students and teachers to welcome us. Our flight was hours late so they had been waiting in the hot sun for hours. There was singing, flowers, a sign and lots of handshakes. There were even people there from the local radio and tv station. For me, it was returning home after a long departure. wednesday we went to the school. It is examination time but they changed the schedule to allow an assembly. My sister, Jean, is traveling with me this time. We both greeted the students and I announced the recipients of the next round of micro loans. We visited four of them. One of the student-graduate run businesses has already paid back her loan. Some are nearly ready to start paying back. All of us are learning. Everyone here is waiting for the rain. It impacts everything. We expected the agriculture to be affected but not the hair salon. Drought drives up the price of food which means there is no money for anything except food. Jean and I took a walk yesterday evening. Several women asked us for money to buy food. Because of the language difference, they used their hands to communicate. Hunger is evident. Please pray for rain in South Sudan.

See Our Blog at Abukloi.org

We moved our blog to www.Abukloi.org
Please find us there as we celebrate Abukloi Secondary School's second graduation on November 9, 2018.

Graduation

Our internet service in South Sudan (or lack thereof) did not allow for much blogging. So just to bring you up to date - graduation was incredible. It began in the morning with our students in caps and gowns marching around Freedom Square and around the market to the beat of the Police Band. People came out from everywhere at the sound of the band and walked along next to our candidates cheering. Truly, there had never been anything like it in Rumbek. Children who are not enrolled in school commented that they wanted to go to school and be able to be part of this parade someday. It was live streamed on facebook. You can find pictures on our website www.abukloi.org so be sure to check it out. One of the big events at graduation was the announcement of the micro-loans. We granted them to 6 of the 22 student business proposals. Money will be wired later and the teacher who worked with them on the proposals will continue to work with them as they start up their businesses. Everywhere we went, the talk was about Abukloi and the business plans. If even just 1 of these businesses can prove successful, it will be significant. With hyper-inflation and insecurity, economic development even on this small scale is more than a challenge. Our visit to Nancy's Garden was joyous. They greeted us with singing, walked us around their plots and then talked about their challenges. We gave them 40 pair of leather gloves and some money to help with watering cans, tools, and seeds. I told them about Nancy, my mother, for whom this garden is named, and showed them pictures. We read scripture and prayed. May God's spirit and Nancy's spirit, protect and provide for these women and their families. Bev and I left South Sudan yesterday and are on our way to Kenya for a short safari. We discovered in our overnight layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that a 1 night visa requires us to pay $50 for a hotel they assign to us. Bev had already made a reservation for a nice 5 star so opted to do that. We also learned that they keep the luggage at the airport (trying to be sure people do not overstay their visa) so guess who doesn't have extra clothes, cosmetics, or medicine??? But I do have my electronics! Geez, a little advanced instructions would have been nice. Thank you all for your support of our trip and of Abukloi. Getting this first class all the way through secondary school is a great accomplishment. Our students are now taking the national exam. This is a 2 week exam and the scores (hopefully available in May) will determine if our students actually receive a diploma. Your continued prayers and donations are much appreciated.

From Rumbek

I arrived in Rumbek late Saturday morning. Many of the teachers, senior students, and student leaders were there to greet me. It was amazing to think they would walk so far in the heat simply to greet me. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to be sure this is real. The teachers have matching polo type shirts. Some of the members of the Board also have them so I thought this was a good time to wear mine. The sight of a woman getting off the 19 passenger plane with the same shirt as the people greeting her apparently was unique. Today the teachers told me that they had heard about it from Uganda! Sunday morning I worship at the Catholic Church very near where I am staying. They are in a new building, much larger than the original building. The walls are block and the roof is mental but the floor is dirt. The service was in English so most of the congregants were young and about half male. Only the educated speak English. You can likely connect those dots. I've had several meetings with various groups but this morning is the first time I got to go to the school. Only the seniors were present. The other students are still on break. The seniors have been continuing in class to prepare for the National Exam on Feb. 13 (just 3 days after graduation). The teachers of the seniors also did not take a break over the holidays so they would be present to tutor the students - no extra income - just dedication. Their commitment to the students is like many teachers in the U.S. When I was here last April I learned one of our students is an artist. Her name is Vivian. We are working on a children's book that tells her story. So, I have worked on the story and Vivian is working on the illustrations. I met with her today and showed her a picture book about the Lost Boys of Sudan. She likely has not seen a children's picture book before. The possibilities are exciting. If we can make this work she could possibly travel to the US for a book signing tour. This is the hot season in South Sudan but the nights get cool (75 degrees) around 2:00 am so sleep is possible. Highs are over 100 degrees. Right now I am in the director's office so I can use the internet. There are 12 of us crammed into this small room. Needless to say, we are all a bit "damp". I will write as I get access to the internet. I have it on my phone but typing a coherent blog on the phone keyboard is not a challenge I want to take on. Bev Nelan and Angelo Maker arrive tomorrow. I can hardly wait to be with Bev and Angelo again!

Juba University

I've had a stomach bug and have needed to stay near a bathroom. But I did get out to tour Juba University today. There are 5 state universities in South Sudan. Rumbek, where our school is located, also has a university. In fact, they have chosen Abukloi Secondary School two years in a row as the place to send their education majors for their student teaching. We are proud of that distinction. Classes at the university do not start until next week but there were plenty of students on campus. Their dorms are called Hostels and they are extremely overcrowded. Most students commute via walking, bike, bus, or boda boda. Very few have a car. They come from all over the country and live with relatives in Juba. It is not an attractive campus by US standards but there is great hope in the students and faculty we met. We went to their Law School. It is a 5 year program that students enter directly from secondary school. The 5th year is spent in a law firm (much like student teaching) and then they are eligible to take the exam. Their specialties seemed to be less about corporate, criminal, family, etc and more about local, national, international. What was really surprising is that tuition per year is $100. You read that right! One of the administrators we spoke to told us about a USAID program that hooked the University of Juba to Virginia Tech and Virginia State. He was so excited when he learned that Angelo and I live in Virginia and were quite familiar with that exchange program, even knew some of the same people. Because Abukloi Secondary School teaches agriculture and because Abukloi Inc. has a 2.5 acre community garden, we were particularly interested in this academic exchange around agriculture. We visited Virginia State twice, met the South Sudanese students and some of the professors. However, USAID has withdrawn that funding so once the South Sudanese students completed their studies at Virginia State, that was the end of the program. It can be a small world! One of the major challenges for Juba University is power. They use generators because there is no reliable power grid in this capital city. The administrator said you could make your clock by the times the power went off and on. It comes on at 10 in the morning, goes off at noon to refuel, then goes off again at 3:30 for the rest of the day. Everything on campus is based on that power schedule: classes, meetings, use of labs, computers, projectors, etc. Interesting the challenges other people face that do not occur to us. Tomorrow I travel to Rumbek. Justin will pick me up around 8:00 am to take me to the airport. We will fly together. The plane is too small to take the caps and gowns we have for graduation so they are going by bus. (Pray for their arrival in time for the Feb. 10 graduation!). I would guess the plane will seat less than 20 people. Justin told me the teachers plan to greet me at the airport - so excited! These 5 days in Juba have not been part of my purpose in this trip, so grateful for what has happened here, but glad to move on to Rumbek.

Two More Days in Juba

Wednesday was really slow for me. I never left the hotel. But considering that it is pushing 100 degrees I should not complain. The past president of the Juba Rotary met with us. He plans to travel to Rumbek in mid-February to provide an orientation for at least 25 business people from Rumbek interested in the Rotary. None have even heard of it so it is a challenge to even get them to come. We were told that people sometimes think the word is "lottery" not Rotary! But our Director Justin has good relationships with people in Rumbek so he will likely get the 25. Today, Thursday, was a rough day for me. Woke up sick but went to meet with the Member of Parliament, Honorable Zechariah. This was my first time in the Parliament Building. Zechariah is the representative from Rumbek. I have had conversations with him on several occasions. Because our school property is owned by the Community Development Committee, it is critical for us to have good relationships with the people on that committee. Zechariah is one of them - very influential. He also is on the Ministry of Education. It was a brief but good conversation and I think we got some things clarified. I'm afraid I was too out of it to contribute much. When I got back to the room around noon, I just slept for 4 hours. Then got up and had some chicken/vegetable soup and bread. Still feeling a bit puny but should be better tomorrow.

Tuesday Football

Today is my mother's birthday. She died 2 1/2 years ago. I had hoped to get to Nancy's Garden today. It is in Rumbek, a garden named for her. But there were things to do here in Juba, so that was not to be. She was on my mind a lot - rather feel she traveled with me this time. Over the years we had become friends so it is nice to have her spirit with me. Basically, I did very little today. Justin was working on registration of our organization with the national government and Angelo was still trying to meeting with government officials, primarily the Vice President. Time is so different here, measured in longer periods. The way I think about minutes is how people here think about hours and my hour is their day, etc. If you know me you know I don't like to waste time so when I come here I have to take a very deep breath and just let all of that go. I did review some notes and started to calligraphy the names on the business proposal certificates to be given at graduation Feb. 10. I have my kindle with me so could do some reading. This evening I went to a football game (soccer for most of you). It is the Unity Games. The Rumbek Team is representing Lakes State. We got there after the game started. Allow me to describe it. The field is nothing but hard, dry dirt sprinkled with stones. There are some chalk lines and net goals as well as the standard officials. There were two bus stop type structures that the teams stayed under. There was also one area with a canopy over it and plastic chairs lined up. The entire field was lined 3-5 deep with fans. People were also hanging out windows in an adjacent building under construction. I would guess there were well over 1,000 people there. The announcer was speaking in Arabic and it was loud and fast. I understood 3 words: Sudan, Rumbek, salom (peace as these are the Peace and Unity Games). Justin took my hand and led me to a chair in the front row under the canopy. At 5'3", that was the only way I was going to see any of the game. I could see the entire field and all the spectators. I was the only white person there. But I was wearing a T-shirt for the Rumbek team so people knew I was there intentionally. The level of play was fast and aggressive. The ball handling skills were amazing. These are not professional soccer players but young adult men with school, jobs, families, etc. One of the coolest plays (mind you, I don't watch a lot of soccer except grandchildren) was a shorter player leap frogging above the taller player in front of him and head butting the ball. I wanted to take pictures but there was a clear military/police presence there and I have gotten into trouble twice before for taking pictures when I was not allowed to. I saw no one else taking any except the professional in front of me. Sitting this close we got to breath all the dust and see all the action. Near the end of the game a player about 15 feet in front of the first row of chairs kicked the ball into the area where we were sitting. It smacked the arm of the man sitting right next to me. He never moved - didn't seem to bother him. When Justin and I left the game we carried 4 young men in the back seat to a netball game (volley ball). Apparently they play on a team - very popular here - a game that a growing number of females play - especially the tall women. Some other observations: men here hold hands with other men, seldom with women; only about 5% of the spectators were female and they were young women; several of them were wearing shorts; people sold ground nuts wrapped in clear wrap in a ball about the size of a fist - they carried them on a tray balanced on their heads; after the game kids went around and picked up plastic water bottles - I think they can sell them; country music is all the rave here in South Sudan - I hear it everywhere and people know the words and sing along!

I am now in Amarat Hotel in Juba, capital of South Sudan. The first flight took a little more than 12 hours - we made good time. The second flight was less than 2 hours. Justin Mathok, our Director, met me at the airport and took me to this hotel. We talked while they finished cleaning the room and then he left so I could get a long nap. The room is 3rd world but very nice by South Sudanese standards and I am safe and quite content. One of the things I have learned is to make plans for these trips but then just relax and go with the flow. I thought I would fly out to Rumbek in the morning (Tuesday) but instead we are going to stay in Juba until Saturday. We have things to do here and the flights between Juba and Rumbek are only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. We want to apply for an international grant through Rotary but in order to do that there has to be a Rotary Club in Rumbek. There is one in Juba and the leaders have agreed to help us start one in Rumbek. Justin has secured more than 25 interested people in Rumbek. So tomorrow afternoon we will meet with the Rotary leaders here in Juba and write up a concept paper. I think we are going to also meet with some folks in the National Education Department on Wednesday. Justin and I will work on what we can from "the list". Shortly, Justin and Angelo will come and we will have dinner, probably here at the hotel. Life after dark is better inside here in Juba. Grateful for a safe trip and negotiated price at Amarat ($40 instead of the standard $100 - thanks Justin!).

Africa Bound January 2018

I have made it through security and am sitting at gate A31 at Dulles Airport waiting for my flight on Ethiopian Air. It is a 15 hour flight, non-stop to Addas Ababa, Ethiopia then on to Juba, capital of South Sudan. I am traveling by myself until I get to Juba where I will be met by Angelo Maker, Lost Boy of Sudan and inspiration for Abukloi, and Justin Mathok, Director of Abukloi. Tuesday I will fly with them to Rumbek, location of our school. The primary purpose of this trip is to attend graduation, Feb. 10. It is the very first graduation of Abukloi Secondary School. There are 60 graduates. Many of these graduates started in the pre-session in the fall of 2013 when Bev Nelan and I started the school. So these are the students we know the best. They are much older than the other students, most of them in their 30's and 40's. Each year our students get significantly younger and we have more female students. This is a great indicator that the community is growing in their value of education even for their daughters. They can see the benefits education has for the individuals and the community. Our incoming class is likely to be 90 strong with many in their teens and at least 1/3 female. I don't know if I will have internet in Juba and not sure how dependable internet will be in Rumbek but I will try to post something on the blog every day. We have generated a long list of things to accomplish during this 2 week stay in South Sudan but only God knows what will actually happen. It is always like Christmas, these trips. You sent your list to Santa but not sure what will actually be under the tree!

The South Sudan We Want - Episode 1. 2017

Thursday, April 13: How Hot Is It?

You know it is hot when:
* the Director, a South Sudan native, greets you at 8 a.m. with "It is HOT!"

* you cannot even get a cold shower because the sun has warmed the water in the water tank

* an Italian engineer who has been working in South Sudan for years asks me how I stay survive the heat

BTW, I shared with the Italian engineer my strategy of wetting the front of me, including my night gown, 2-3 times per night.  I believe he did it as his room is near mine and I could hear a shower several times during the night.

During the night last night we had a big storm blow through.  First came the strong wind, then rolling thunder and lightning, then rain.  It cooled things and they stayed cool until around 10 a.m.  So much dust was kicked up that the cleaning women where I am staying, were cleaning every one's room.  Since I am leaving early Friday morning, there was no sense in cleaning mine.  I expect to be covered in dust pretty much all of the time.

One of the leading people at UNMISS came to the school today with 2 other dignitaries.  His speech to the students was wonderful, so inspirational, encouraging.  I said my good-byes, got a little choked up.  They are all so amazing and I am so privileged to be part of what God is doing in their lives.

As the last 2 days of a trip here comes to a close I can count on two things happening:

1.  many students coming to me for financial assistance.  They write out their request on slips of paper.  I will respond to some and give it to the Head Teacher to give to students on Friday, after I am gone.

2.  projects we have been talking about taking on new questions, information, solutions.  I have learned that often the notes I take early in the trip about conversations that I thought brought us to a resolution are superseded by recent notes on the current solution.  In other words, in this place of great obstacles, the solution today may not be the one tomorrow.

Tonight the teachers and student leaders will be going to Director Justin's for dinner.  He has been very gracious to invite us to his home - amazing.  The "girl" who cooks and cleans for him will prepared it.  (Although this morning he was a bit late picking me up because he had to slaughter and prepare the goat so she could cook it.)  Guess what we are having for dinner tonight - fresh goat!  In addition, Justin's uncle who died over the weekend and was buried yesterday in another community, is having a funeral today here in Rumbek.  Justin is at that this afternoon, even as he is preparing for dinner guests and driving me around town.

My plan is to fly out of Rumbek to Juba tomorrow morning.  From there I will fly Ethiopian Air to Addas Ababa, 4 hour lay over, then long flight to Dulles.  If everything goes as planned Bob will pick me up early Saturday morning and I'll be in my own church Easter Sunday.  We shall see.

Blessings on all of you.  Please remember South Sudan in your prayers.