Limbo

Here in Nimule we continue in limbo, waiting for the end of the Covid-19 crisis.  We are fortunate in that there are very few confirmed cases in the whole country – only 5, and no deaths so far.  For a change it is good to be at the bottom of the league tables.  I am very thankful for that as there are also very poor medical facilities to deal with even normal health problems, let alone an epidemic of any kind.

The main hazard for Covid-19 is seen as the truck drivers who bring supplies from other African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, which all have far higher rates of infection than South Sudan.  All these pass through our town on their way to Juba.  Our main road is the only tarmac road in the country, so it is a very important artery into the country.  The border is completely closed apart from these trucks.

Due to the awareness of the risk of these travelling drivers spreading the contagion, they are tested at every border they come to.  They are also no longer allowed to have any co-driver with them, at least travelling through South Sudan.  That must surely carry a risk of over-tiredness and resulting accidents, although I have not seen any proof of that.

Over the past two days, the testing has become yet more rigorous and long-winded so that the queue of trucks for the border is now huge and goes right through the whole town, passing my own home.  The drivers need to eat, so they have no choice but to buy food from the local fast food stalls, which must create a risk of infection as there is little access to face masks here.  One of the food stalls is in the foreground of the photo on the right.

This is not the first time truck drivers have suffered to carry out their jobs.  During the height of the war, when all the neighbouring towns to Nimule had been destroyed, the soldiers were looting and removing everything from the desolate homes, schools, shops and churches.  They then flagged down passing trucks, and forced the truck drivers at gun point to carry the loot to Nimule to be sold in the streets.  My heart used to bleed for them, as I watched the stolen goods unloaded.

Now they are risking their lives again to carry food and other necessities to South Sudan, with all the local people fearful and sometimes even downright hostile towards them as potential carriers of Covid-19.

For those who pray, please pray for these drivers and their families who rely on this dangerous work for survival.

What are we doing at this difficult time?

Our school started during the civil war in 2015 and has managed to grow and develop throughout five years of war with your generous support.  Even at one point in 2016 when all other primary schools closed completely, we kept going.  I am very proud of that record.  The war is now officially over, but are we going to be beaten by Coronavirus?  I sincerely hope not.  We are determined to keep going, even though at the moment we have no way of teaching. 

Tailor cutting our school shirts.

Our teacher-in-training Mohammed has come back to Nimule with course-work and a project to carry out, under the supervision of his course tutors, who are in touch with him through Facebook.  As part of this, he has just started an agriculture project for a handful of our school children in our school compound.  Ten is the maximum number for any gathering according to the government so we are being very careful not go over this number.

In the first two weeks that our school has been on hold, I have typed up all our exam papers ready for the end of term.  It now seems likely that we will have to adjust so that the exams are held whenever we are finally allowed to go back to normal.

Our new kitchen

Uniforms have been made for those children without uniforms, but we cannot distribute them yet.  The new kitchen is ready, but nobody will be cooking in it for a while.

I have done a major clear-out of our school storeroom and it is now far more organized than previously.

Rather than sitting twiddling my thumbs and going slowly off my rocker, I am starting to do some ad-hoc teaching of the young children who live in my home compound.  I have some resources which are not used at school as they are not suitable for large numbers.  The first morning, for instance, I taught the children to play dominoes.  Their number recognition is very poor, so this was a big challenge for them, especially as I was teaching them in English, not their mother tongue.  The lessons can continue indefinitely as they have a lot to learn! 

The children do some colouring and practise
writing the letter S at the same time.

We continue to plan for our building work, but at the moment cannot access the funds.  It would be very helpful if people can help us to fundraise even so, so that once things return to normal we will be able to get cracking. 

I have heard a very sad story of staff laid off in Kenya by major employers such as Kenya Airways, in complete breach of their rights as employees.  We have no intention of treating our staff like that, so it is important that we continue to pay them throughout this crisis.  Comfortingly, most (but not all) of them are able to grow food themselves and the weather is rainy, however it will be some time before there is anything to harvest.  Making sure our staff, teachers, cooks and guards are not forgotten is also a good way to ensure their loyalty to the school.

I am happy to send gift aid forms to anyone who is able to help with the construction costs of the new classroom block, or with regular donations so that we can pay staff salaries regularly.  My email address is rebeccamallinson1@hotmail.co.uk. 

It is also possible to make donations online through Virgin Money Giving.  Please be aware that it is necessary to put ‘Cece Primary School’ in the comments box, as Opportunity through Education also collects funds for other causes.  Virgin Giving charges a hefty admin fee on large donations, so please send direct to Opportunity through Education if you are considering sending £1,000 or over.