Our Work in Southern Sudan

The Padang Lutheran Christian Relief is currently providing relief and development projects in Baliet County in Upper Nile State and Tonj South County in Warrap State in Southern Sudan. Due to the diverse difficulties currently being experienced by the populations in these two States, it is impossible for PLCR to focus solely upon one project. Although our eight projects are listed separately, they are all interconnected and ultimately the successful implementation of a project targeting one project will have positive impacts in all eight categories and in the fulfillment of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Our projects are as follows:

To provide health care facilities to those most in need

This needs to be provided with an emphasis on reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating malaria, cholera and other diseases borne out of poverty. For this to take place, facilities need to be built, adequately equipped and staffed. In addition, health care facilities provide pathways by information about hygiene, disease and environment sustainability can reach a larger proportion of the public.

To provide educational facilities to those most in need

According to the Government of Southern Sudan, 92 percent of the population does not know how to read or write so education is of primary concern. Universal access to education will promote reconciliation, peaceful co-operation as well as long term development and gender equality. To facilitate this, schools need to be built or rebuilt, enrolment encouraged, resources made available and fully trained teachers employed. Currently, classes are conducted under a fig tree with students often sharing one text book between them.

To provide worship facilities

The rebuilding of local Churches will create a space where education, socialization and equality can also be rebuilt. As well, the importance of faith in spiritual and physical healing can be recognized and well represented. The local Sudanese Church pastors are requesting PLCR to rebuild their Church facilities in Southern Sudan. Some Pastors often walk on foot for thirty kilometers to reach out those who had never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ in the remote areas. For these reasons, PLCR is seeking financial support to rebuild the Sudanese Churches in Southern Sudan.

To provide water and sanitation to those in need
Access to sanitary facilities and safe drinking water are critical to reducing child mortality and helping to eradicate water borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. As well, access to clean water also promotes gender equality as it enables women to have more time for other tasks including schooling. An assessment of the area has been conducted and the need to construct the water supply system is determined to be the solution.

Child Protection

In addition to addressing the child protection issues, shelter in a safe, loving environment needs to be provided for orphans and other vulnerable children and hunger needs to be reduced. An orphanage will have to be built, staffed and maintained to accomplish this. Land mine awareness also needs to be taught alongside rehabilitation of former child soldiers and other war affected children.

Agriculture Development

In an attempt to reduce child mortality brought on by malnutrition, much needs to be done in the way of agricultural development. This would need to be accomplished through education and provision of necessary equipment. The fertility of this region near the Nile River lends promise to such an undertaking.

HIV/AIDS Awareness

While the full extent of the impact of the HIV/AIDS has had on these people is not yet known, what is known is that many misconceptions is still exist as to how the disease is spread. This increases the risk of infection and makes protection from it virtually impossible. The campaign is ongoing to educate the population on how transmission takes place and how to protect oneself from it. Moreover, counseling is available for those who are already affected by the disease.

Emergency Relief

When disaster strikes, PLCR responds speedily to provide emergency relief supplies to children and their families in Sudan. Your contributions to our emergency relief funds help us provide the emergency supplies needed by individuals and families in Southern Sudan.
We are always hanging to respond in emergency situations, but we need your help right now to be able to act immediately when disaster strikes. Please help us be ready to send emergency relief supplies when it is needed most in this region of the globe.

Our Program in the Metro Vancouver Area in Canada

Besides the support of its overseas projects, PLCR is providing settlement services to African immigrants and refugees in the Lower Mainland in British Columbia in Canada.