Imagine a classroom where there are no walls and the roof above is the shade of a tree…

Imagine no school desks or chairs, only round tree branches shaped as logs on which to sit and write…

Imagine a school without slides or swings, permission slips or a library….

Imagine if the school uniform was the only clothing you owned to wear everyday….

Imagine walking barefoot on dirt footpaths for nearly an hour to school everyday…

In a nation where only 27% of the population above fifteen years is literate, Living Water Primary School, whose enrollment is students has a permanent school building completed in April, 2015.

In a land where the literacy rate for women is only 16% and the average age of marriage is 16 – 18 years of age, Living Water Primary and Abundant Life Primary schools actively encourage and seek to educate the parents on the benefits of educating girls.

In a country where the eldest boy of the family is expected to take care of the family’s herd of cows in cattle camp, education in the schools offer new expectations and goals.

Despite the lack of traditional facilities, all the eighth grade students of both primary schools have passed the requirement government examination for that grade, making them eligible to continue their education in higher secondary schools.

Despite the lack of teaching aids, reference materials or even a sturdy blackboard the teachers innovate and create their own resources to teach the children.

Despite a lack of formal training, the teachers are dedicated and motivated, using solar lanterns at night to prepare their lesson plans.

The grim realities of life for a young girl or boy in South Sudan seem to harken back to an ancient story. Yet, God is answering mountain moving prayers of His saints and providing the resources through His people in order that His children in the Akot community can dream big dreams and have the hope of abundant life.

-Gracia Sugantharaj, Vice President of Living Water CT