In South Sudan this involves reaching out to people most in need, buying and distributing basic food such as maize, beans and charcoal for cooking food. They also provide cleaning items and clothing and pay for transport. During the pandemic, churches in South Sudan have been closed since February 2021. Members are spreading accurate information about Covid 19.
The future is looking uncertain for Sudan and South Sudan, where the fragile peace is at great risk. Inflation has risen above 300%, unemployment has rocketed and Covid has brought an unprecedented need for medical help.
South Sudan
Update October 2021
We are continuing with our work here in St. Mary Magdalen, Riwoto. In the school at the moment we have over 1,200 children registered both in the nursery and primary school. Over 350 of those are girls. There are 32 children registered to do the primary leaving examination at the end of this academic year. Nine of those are girls. We have finished the building of the secondary school, which included 4 classrooms, an administration block with head teacher’s office, staff room and store, dining room/kitchen/ food store, and also teachers quarters. We need to buy text books and stationary, desks, chairs and other furniture. What St. Vincent sent (6,000 gbp) will go towards the cost of that.
The month of September was designated the season of creation, when we are reminded by the Pope to care for our common home. Beside the planting of trees, the community celebrated a Mass outside on one particular Sunday and the story of creation was enacted.
One of the issues we are facing in the education of girls is early forced marriages. Girls from the village are coming to us looking for refuge, because they are being forced by their families to get married. This is one aspect of the culture that we are fighting against. This week, our society child protection trainer is coming to Riwoto and meeting with a number of people, such as teachers, children, child safeguarding committee of the parish and the local Government commissioner, together with the paramount chief of the area. We hope something good will come out of it for the sake of the girls.
Every month we meet with the catechists from all over the parish and from that meeting we plan our pastoral activities for the month. There has been heavy rain recently, which has hindered our movement to the villages outside.
I am writing this report from Ireland where I have been for the last two months. Fr. Blessed Ejenavi, a St. Patrick’s Missionary from Nigeria, is the person who is in place now in Riwoto. I will return to Riwoto next month and join Fr. Blessed there.
Thanks once again for the support of St. Vincent’s parish. We offer you our prayers and that God may bless you all.
Tim Galvin