The Bridge School is a volunteer initiative launched by teachers near the village of Kuber William in Sudan as an opportunity for everyone gain an education. One of our colleagues, Ed Smith, is working with the UN in Sudan and visited the school along with Al Penrose, a provincial police officer from Ontario who is working with the UN. There they met Joseph, one of the ten teachers, who began his education when he was nineteen-years-old.
There are ninety students at this school ranging in age from six to forty-five-years-old and most of the children are orphans or with one parent. They attend class from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm without lunch and there is no source of water nearby.
The Bridge School is entirely outdoors: the centre area of the school is also a church and the “classrooms” are located under trees around this central area. Each class has an old chalkboard and some chairs, although most students sit on the ground. There are very limited stationery supplies and the UN provides workbooks.
Some things are universal - a PTA meeting at the school
The regular school that runs from April to January is nearby and it is also completely outdoors; just a few trees in a field. Another school exists a short drive away, a building with a well, outhouses and an outdoor kitchen, but it had been abandoned during conflicts between neighbouring communities. The area continues to be unsafe and the people would prefer that the school be where it is now, near a police post in the centre of the village.
The main school
The original school, now abandoned
Meeting with the village chief and other members of the community, Ed and Al were impressed by the commitment to educating the youth of the village, striving to give them a future in what is now a new country.
Some school children in Ontario have come up with a great plan to help this village and the Obakki Foundation has committed to supporting them and The Bridge School. On Thursday, we’ll tell you what they’re doing and how you can help.
Math class
Tags: Bridge School, sudan, United Nations
So amazing! Such an incredible need, that here in the US gets taken so totally for granted! Can’t wait to hear how we can in some way help, especially if our kids can be involved too
How intriguing ??
This is an amazing project. Our school Monsignor Clair Catholic School in Barrie, Ontario hopes to reach our goal of the 8000.00 needed to have the well installed. Many of the children at MCL are reaching out to this well project for the Bridge School as they realize now how much we have in our lives. They want to make a difference in the lives of others. With my husband working over there it has become very real for the kids when I report back to them the needs in the community. If you can help in any way that would be fantastic!
I can’t imagine having to walk to get water……
I know we can’t help everyone but we can certainly “as a team” build a well…………I can’t imagine having to walk so far for water….I simply can’t…..
With Al (my brother) sending us pictures and letters my family now feels very much a part of this community.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for him and for each of us…how good will it feel to say that we all contributed towards the building of a well for this community….I for one am proud to say that I am helping….
Can you imagine having to walk 30 minutes for a glass of water…..please help so that they don’t have to walk this walk…..
Lets Build this well!
Well put, Donna!