by Don Stilwell
3 March 2006

In war-torn South Sudan, SIM has launched an effort to train about 1,000 Sudanese elementary teachers over the next five years. While the Sudanese teachers are being trained, they will be setting up local schools where they can practice their new teaching skills. In this way they will begin to address the huge educational deficit brought on by 23 years of war.

God is providing the people to make this happen from Africa. SIM work in Nigeria and Ethiopia over the years is multiplying the number of missionaries available for this task. A group of Ethiopian missionaries and two Nigerian couples are having Sudanese curriculum orientation this week. These African teacher-trainers will be in the first five Basic Education Learning Center (BELC) locations. They will also be doing Bible teaching, discipling and leadership training with the churches.

The Sudanese church leaders have decided where the first five Basic Education Learning Centers will open this year, with more to be added in the next two years. There is a lot to be done because there are no buildings, clean water or sanitation. Because this is a remote part of Africa, much of the transportation must be by air as roads are seasonal or non-existent.

The African missionaries are being sent out and supported by their home churches in Ethiopia and Nigeria for a basic local living allowance. The project must supply transportation, housing, local staff, classroom buildings, supplies and administrative oversight in remote and primitive locations. The start-up cost for the first year for each BELC is estimated to be $273,590. Recurring costs for four successive years are about $59,540.

	Prayer for the Ethiopian missionaries at their commissioning service

Please consider helping and pray that God will provide through His people for the construction and furnishing. We feel a great sense of urgency because we will have missionary staff ready to move into that work in just a few weeks. In some cases, there is not even basic African housing ready for them yet.

If you sense God's leading to partner in this work to restore hope and education to Sudan, contact your nearest SIM office today. We thank you for interest!

Learn more about the Basic Education Learning Centers: South Sudan Project.