In all the movement and restlessness of South Sudan as it approaches independence, it is easy to forget to share the stories of daily life at Marol Academy.
Before the dawn rises, many pupils set out from their
tukals (mud huts) to pace the hours of journeying to school. By 8.30am, crumpled lines of students fill the dusty compound, waiting for the teachers to ring the bell and for assembly to start. Notices, singing and praying fill the half-hour slot. The oldest children stand tall and straight, while the littlest fidget about relentlessly, hoping their size will keep them hidden from rebuke. Once all has been said, assembly gives way to a day of lessons. The children are squashed onto the wooden benches with up to eighty children squeezed into each classroom. As the teacher talks and writes with chalk, those who can afford exercise books scribble down what is written. Few of the teachers amongst the 90,000 Apuk Dinka have finished school themselves, but they teach whatever they know. Food comes when the sun is high in the sky, cooked by local, volunteer mothers in a large, black cauldron. The school day eventually fades to a close. The classes pour out to play volleyball and start the long journey home.
Marol's life is now also coloured by two incredible volunteers - Gordon (a retired science teacher from the UK) and Emma (a newly qualified maths teacher from Kenya). Both called by God to come to Marol, they are a gift to us.
Current Needs At The Academy - Just In Case You Are Able To Help?
Whatever you are able to give, however small, adds faith to what we're building and allows funds to quickly add up.
1) A Soap Sponsor
Most families in the village of Marol have no person amongst them employed and, therefore, no income of money. They grow what they eat but there is never enough, let alone enough to sell. Therefore, they cannot buy items such as soap. The volunteer mum's of Marol, who cook the school lunch, have one request: they have asked for soap to keep them clean. More than enough soap for all the mums who cook would cost £15 per month.
2) Taking Care of Two Teachers
Two friends of Emma were set to be sent to a school in the Nuba Mountains (just over the border from Marol in Northern Sudan). Like Emma, they felt God's call on them to Sudan. They teach English and CRE (subjects we need teachers for at Marol). However, political conflict in the Nuba Mountains is bringing fear and has forced the school to close. We are hoping to borrow that for a few months at Marol until God brings enough peace in the Nuba Mountains to allow them to move on. For us to have them join us at Marol until August will cost £250 per teacher per month for three months.
3) An English Teacher
Marol Academy is desperately looking for a long-term English teacher who could support the secondary school and the primary school teachers. It is estimated that this will cost £210 per month.
4) Somewhere To Stay
Increasingly, to allow Marol to both train teachers and offer secondary education, Marol will invite teachers from East Africa and around the world. In Gogrial East, there is less than a handful of people who have finished secondary education, let alone those who can teach at these higher levels. To do this, Marol is desperate to build more accommodation. The hope is to build a four bedroom block (with one or two beds in each). Each room will cost £5,000.
If you are interested in giving, please visit:
www.justgiving.com/MarolAcademy.
