Security, safe water and school top of children’s hopes for South Sudan

Thursday, July 14, 2011

South Sudan's children retain their hopes despite very real challenges as their nation prepares to become the world’s newest country tomorrow, Saturday, 9 July.

When World Vision interviewed children across three of South Sudan’s 10 states to find out which issues matter most to them as independence approaches, it was evident that children were keen to move beyond the problems of the past.

After 20 years of war, and a five-year peace and independence struggle, it is the most basic needs in life that are occupying children in South Sudan’s states of Western Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap.

“I expect that the government ensure that water is accessible and available to every child in the new country,” said 10-year-old Joana in Western Equatoria, who has to walk five kilometres to get to the nearest water pump, taking up time she would rather spend in school.

With almost 90 per cent of the new country’s population lacking access to safe drinking water, Joana’s wish echoes many of her compatriots.

In a country where a girl her age has a higher chance of dying in childbirth than of completing school, 15-year-old Rebecca wants to see the dangers facing new mothers addressed. “Many women die from childbirth and it is not good, I want to become a midwife so I can help,” she said from Bahr el Ghazal State.

While many children around the world would be happy to miss school, for street child James in Warrap, the chance to go to school is top of his wish-list.

“I would like to see a good education system in South Sudan after independence to enable me and other children on the streets to continue with school,” he says.

Less than half of South Sudan’s primary-school age children are enrolled in school, presenting yet another challenge for the new country’s government.

“Ensuring children are at the centre of the country’s plans is going to be key to its success”, says World Vision spokesperson, Sue Cant, from the capital, Juba.

“As we know from more than 20 years of working with and talking to children in this country, like those featured in this survey, their hopes and fears reflect the needs of the nation. This is a historic moment for Sudan, but this is only the beginning, not the end, of a very long road to help its people live up to their potential.”

Spokespeople in Juba, South Sudan and Australia available for interviews. Video/audio also available.

Media contact: Katie Maynes: 03 9287 2230 or 0428 916 543 or Bill Pheasant: 0413 701 028

Media Releases, Africa, Child Health, Famine, South Sudan

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