Southern sudan
In Southern Sudan decade of civil war have created a region which is bereft of even the most basic of infrastructure. In addition to its remote location, underdeveloped communities and abject poverty, any infrastructure which did exist has been targeted and destroyed by bombs during the 60 years of conflict.
Glasgow the Caring City, World Emergency Relief and All Nations Christian Care have been providing support to the village of Ikotos, Torit County for approximately 4 years.
Ikotos is the main economic centre for the district providing a market, basic healthcare and higher level of schooling; however by African standards even this is below par.
Glasgow the Caring City has been working in the region to provide healthcare, water and sanitation, education, domestic development and agricultural training.
Most of Torit County is so remote that even by advanced 4x4 vehicles the journey is very difficult. On a visit in 2006, International Projects Manager Ross Galbraith described the road between the villages of Ikotos and Imotong as the “the most remote, extreme and arduous journey” he had ever made.
The communities of the district face more than one challenge. They are dealing with disease and hunger, war, isolation, returning child soldiers, no outside communication and of course the fear of slipping back into civil turmoil. Add into this mix the natural competition for whatever resources exist and you really have a recipe for disaster.
However the prospects for the region are good and thanks to our help the people can now look forward to a higher level of healthcare and domestic support, educational, agricultural training and the knowledge that they are not being forgotten.
In 2008 ‘Matthew’s Farm’ will be launched, which is a special project by Ross Galbraith and his partner Lyndsay Crawford which will see the development and investment in a agricultural training facility, supporting communities in the Torit County. The facility will be locally managed and will provide simply education on the principles of small hold farming.
Look out for more information on these projects in the coming months or visit the ‘Matthews Farm’ project page in our ‘special projects’ menu.
Often facilities, no matter how well constructed, are abandoned in the fear of attacks by rebel groups. This school, constructed by a Norwegian agency has been unused due to its location and vilnerability from the air.
