PESS Fall Newsletter 2012

Fall 2012

Vol. 4, Issue 2

Chronicles of Hope

"Some things can never be fully understood until seen. Although I knew the need was great, having the opportunity to be in South Sudan allowed me to see what living in a country desperate for education, resources and development really means. Being there and witnessing our work firsthand also fortified my belief that PESS makes an invaluable impact on the people and communities we work with."
Courtney Cohen, Korbel Alum '12

Executive Director Corner- Carol Francis-Rinehart

Carol with Anguei Girls

As the summer ends and we look to the fall and the beginning of a new school year for children all over America, children in South Sudan often find themselves without books or classrooms or teachers to help perform the miracle of turning young minds into literate, productive, contributing adults capable of building a nation. We continue to thank you, our donors, who are continuing to make a difference in the most challenging developing new country in the world.

PESS new exciting updates both in the US and in South Sudan this fall include:

Our new name and logo change reflecting the new country of South Sudan
Welcoming back summer South Sudan interns Kelly O'Connor and Courtney Cohen. Read about their field work accomplished in their Journey of Hope 2012 article.
Celebrating Ayak Anguei Girls School P8 class of 17 out of 23 graduating onto secondary school, where only 400 South Sudanese girls in the entire country are in the last year of secondary classes (UNESCO 2012)
Completing four more classrooms at Marc Nikkel Primary School thanks to our partners the Diocese of South Western Virginia and Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis
Being accepted as a recipient of the Girl Effect Challenge through Global Giving (Nov 1-24)
Developing a Student Government program For Girls by Girls with partners Mary N. Bassiouni Foundation
Continued development of Community Leadership program with OSU School of Education and Align Leadership
Girl's Feminine Hygiene HIV/AIDS program phase I implementation at Ayak Anguei and Tong Pagook

Notes from the Field -
South Sudan Director
Daniel Majok Gai

Despite difficulties and challenges in South Sudan, activities are unfolding on the ground!

At the local level of PESS partner communities, I am proud to say school teachers, community leaders, field representatives and I have been taking the initiative and responsibility of community activities. Accomplishments and activities, April to August 2012:

- Building of two semi-permanent classrooms through PESS donations of $2,000 and partnership with local NGO, Hold the Child at Ayak Anguei Girls' Primary School to temporarily replace the six community-built classrooms that were destroyed in the storm. UKAID has also shown a serious interest in building six permanent classrooms starting November-December 2012.

- I have established a strong liaison relationship with all the NGOS working in Jonglei State, Ministry of Education and community leaders. PESS is now recognized and fully participates in all meetings held by State Education Cluster (SEC) meetings at the state level.

Read more...

Journey of Hope 2012
Courtney Cohen and Kelly O'Connor

The air in South Sudan today is charged with energy. Being there we could feel the energy of change, the energy of potential, and the energy emitting from a population excited by possibility. But, as anyone might expect, the new country is experiencing its growing pains as well.

Working in a new country is a learning experience for all sides. South Sudan is learning how to format their government and establish themselves as an independent country, and PESS is learning how to work within this new structure and how to create an optimal partnership with the new government.

No longer able to work independent from the government, we must figure out how to maintain our mission without compromising the country's authority. Our best outcome would be a cooperative relationship that shares information, resources, and capacities.

PESS is promoting the necessary synergy between government and NGO factions.

Read more:

Save the Date!

4th Biennial

Art and Artifacts

hosted by

April 13, 2013

6 - 9 PM

Michael Gadlin

Aliki McCain

Co-Owners/Artists

Judith Babcock

Art & Artifacts Founder

Want to be a part of our Intern Team?

Our Intern Team!

Girls Leadership
Research Assistants

Kelly O'Connor
Taylor Gibson

Sarah Gates

Courtney Cohen

Tania Benoiton

Help us reach our goal to complete the final 4-classroom building at Daniel's
village Tong Pagook Primary School today!