Some things are universal. Nerves before an exam. Sports. Music. Girls talking about boys.

We talk about it all with our Africa ELI scholars. Diane is generally the queen of conversation with the girls. She encourages them. Sometimes scolds them. She definitely holds them accountable for their actions. She laughs with them and sometimes cries with them.

It was my privilege to be included in some of the “girl talk” during this year’s third term. Snippets of conversations – fit for public consumption – included:

“I will do better….(insert selected action here)… keeping time, studying, or cleaning the dorm.” “We want to go to town for sugar, tomatoes, and juice.”
“My parents make me do too much housework.”

At the conclusion of the term, Diane, our intern – Cathy, and I all talked with the girls about their plans for the holidays and “summer break” (December, January, February). Our mantra? “Don’t get pregnant.”

We read the statistics about young women in Sudan and other countries. We know that a high percentage in African countries are forced into early marriages and receive minimal family planning instruction. We know that culture influences reproductive activities. So, we talk about these things with our Africa ELI girls. We discuss what the future might look like if they stay in school and focus on their studies. We ask them what the future looks like if they become teenage mothers. We talk about options, consequences of actions, and healthy choices.

We have 100 Africa ELI-sponsored girls, and hundreds more who benefit from participating in Africa ELI enrichment programs. We intend for them to all return safely and healthy for the first term of 2011. It’s our New Year’s resolution to do everything within our power to make it so.

-Anita

“Parents, stop this.” Advice given by a 14 year old boy, Barak, to parents assembled for an end of school year celebration. He was referring to early marriage of their daughters and sons. (Early marriage in Southern Sudan starts at age 11 in many cases.) Barak is a courageous and wise young man.

Barak is also a member of the GEM Club – the “Girls Education Movement” in schools throughout Southern Sudan. Here in Yei, Africa ELI has helped UNICEF and the Ministry of Education implement GEM Club activities. We hosted a TOT conference – “Training of Trainers” and sponsored a GEM Club celebration during November. In both instances, boys and girls from six local schools came together in support of education for girls and to identify ways they can encourage their families and communities to join in the movement.

My Africa ELI colleagues, Diane and Catherine are two bright and shining role models for GEM Club members. Diane is our Sudan Deputy Director and Catherine is our college intern. Both are from East Africa. Both young women are educated and strong. To ensure the success of the GEM Clubs in Yei town, they have hauled kids on dirt roads by motorbike, truck, and bus between schools and villages. They have organized meals, dances, and special events to engage our young people in learning more about gender equity and equality. They coordinate with Education Ministry offices, county officials, and teachers to rally enthusiasm for the GEM Club. They exemplify constant “movement!”

Diane. Catherine. Barak. All GEM Club enthusiasts. All a part of the Africa ELI family. Doing what? Building peace through education. One student, one school, one GEM Club member at a time. This is everyone’s responsibility. Join us. Show your support this holiday season by donating a gift in honor, or in memory, of a woman in your life who has advised you, taught you, or supported your own education.

Here’s how:

Go to http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/girlsrising/
Our trusted fundraising partner, Global Giving, makes it easy to send a beautiful holiday card via mail or email to your gift recipient.

OR

Mail a check to Africa ELI, 123 Ethan Allen Ave. Ste. 300, Colchester, VT 05446. Include a note telling us the recipient’s name and mailing address.

Happy Holidays,
Anita

Opani Rose lives with one parent and is the youngest of 3 children. She applied late for our 2009 scholarship program this year. The scholars had already been selected and the money was distributed. Opani was a very shy girl. She would not look directly in our faces. She cried because there were no scholarship positions left. Opani started walking to the Africa ELI office almost every day, each time asking to become a Africa ELI-sponsored student. Diane told her to provide her school report cards for future consideration. She did. She kept asking for Africa ELI to sponsor her. Finally, a space – and funding – became available for Opani.

Today she is a girl who has perfect attendance for Africa ELI activities. She has faithfully attended classes at school. She has overcome her shyness and learned to speak up. She now looks directly at her intended audience when talking and advises other students to do the same. This is a goal for all of our Africa ELI students. Speaking directly is a life-skill we emphasize.

Recently, I was chatting with some of our students about the upcoming presidential elections in Sudan. I posed the question, “do you think a young man could successfully become a legislator if the elders in his community believed him to be too young?” Opani replied, “Excuse me, madam. It does not matter if you are young or old, tall or short, thin or fat, black or white. If you are qualified, then you can be a leader.”

Opani is a shining example of the emerging new leaders for Southern Sudan. She is a young woman ready to stand up and speak out about important matters in life. If she were running for an office, she would get my vote.

From Yei,
Anita

Yesterday, on so called “Black Friday,” stores across the country were clogged with desperate shoppers. Why waste time and money buying candles, candy, and plastic trinkets made in China? There is a more rewarding gift for colleagues and friends – the gift of PEACE THROUGH EDUCATION.

Small donations to the Girls Rising scholarship campaign are easily turned into holiday gifts through Global Giving. Make the donations throughhttp://www.globalgiving.com/projects/girlsrising/ and have personalized holiday cards sent to your recipients via email or snail mail. You can also choose to print out the pretty cards yourself.

Sound like a good holiday shopping alternative? It gets even better. Donations as gifts are tax-deductible! Those candies and plastic trinkets are not. And if you do this before 11:59 pm on Tuesday, Dec 1st, Global Giving will match your donation 50%.

We wish you a wonderful and meaningful holiday this year!
-Anita, Atem, Colin, Diane, Rachel & Robert

P.S. Could you help spread the word? Feel free to share this message with your friends on Facebook!

ABIONG
ACHOL
AGNES
AGNES
AGNES
ANGELINA
ANGELINA
ANGELINA
ANGELINA
ANGELINA
BETTY
BETTY
BETTY
BETTY
BETTY
BETTY
BETTY
CICILIA
EDINA
ESTHER
EVELINA
FLAVIA
FLORENCE
FLORENCE
GRACE
GRACE
GRACE
GRACE
GRACE
HARRIET
HELLEN
JACKLINE
JEDIYA
JEMIMA
JOICE
JOICE
JOICE
JOICE
JOICE
JOY
JOY
JULIA
KANI
KEJIA
KHARMELA
LEYA
LILIAS
LOICE
LONA
LUCIA
MAILA
MARIAM
MARY
MARY
MARY
MARY
MARY
MARY
MEDIAN
MEDINA
MONICA
NEEMA
NEEMA
NUNAS
NYABONL
NYANWIIR
PASQUINA
PATIENCE
PATIENCE
RAHAMA
REBECCA
REKELA
ROSE
ROSE
ROSE
ROSE
ROSE
SARAH
SARAH
SARAH
SARAH
SEBILA
SUSAN
SUSAN
SUSAN
SUSAN
SUSAN
SUSAN
SUSAN
TALA
TERESA
TEREZA
TIKO
VERONICA
VERONICA
VERONICA
VERONICA
VICTORIA
VIVIAN
ZEINABU

Achol is getting a quality high school education because of the generosity of American friends. Your contributions to the Girls Rising Campaign are directly responsible for keeping Achol and 99 other girls in school. And when they graduate, your support will ensure these young women have scholarships to attend college and achieve their career goals.

Right now, you have the opportunity to leverage your investment in Achol’s education. From now until December 1st, gifts to ourGirls Rising Campaign are being matched up to 50% by our fundraising partner – Global Giving.

It’s easy! Donate online at:

www.globalgiving.com/projects/girlsrising/

Thank you, again, for helping make dreams come true.

P.S. Our 2010 goal is to double the number of sponsored girls. Please help us raise $50,000 to provide scholarships to Achol and 199 other girls next year.

There is a “Lawyer’s Hall of Fame.” Names appearing include Clarence Darrow, F. Lee Bailey, and Abraham Lincoln. Famous lawyers recognized on our television screens have been Perry Mason, Matlock, and pop culture favorite, Ally McBeal. I have not been able to locate a list of famous Sudanese lawyers. Yet. However, if I were looking into a crystal ball to predict the future, I think the name of one bright woman will be listed. Achol Deng.

Achol freely expresses her opinion. (Many teenage girls share that same trait.) She does not hesitate to question the status quo. She definitely embodies leadership. It doesn’t hurt that she stands well over six feet tall and naturally commands attention upon entering a room. My colleague, Diane, and I have said numerous times in the past, “she would make a good lawyer.”

While traveling in Warrap state to see Jimmy Makuach’s home area, deep in the heart of cattle country, we stopped in the office of a local village authority. Here they are called “payam administrators.” He recognized me. He reminded me that he was the father of an Africa ELI student. As I looked closely, I could see the resemblance of his daughter, Achol. What a pleasant surprise!

Of course, we talked about Achol, her performance at school and family matters. I asked him, “What is the biggest change you have seen in your daughter since she becamse a Africa ELI student?” He said, “She talks like you.” Translated, that means her English has improved. Actually, she didn’t even speak a word of English until beoming a Africa ELI student. She grew up speaking Arabic and has gained a strong control of the English language. (And if I have influenced her use of the words, “yee haw,” “darlin’,” or “y’all” then so be it.) But he sees the English language as her currency for success in the future.

When I asked him what he hopes his daughter chooses to become in the future, he replied, “I hope she becomes a famous lawyer.” No surprise there.

I think she can do it. And I believe she will do it. She’s closer now than ever before. In lieu of writing a love note to all the donors who help make it possible for Achol to stay in school, please accept this sincere, “thank you.” On behalf of Achol’s dad, Achol, and Africa ELI, we thank you for helping make dreams come true. I rest my case.

From Yei,
Anita

She runs a dispensary and teaching hospital. She teaches English classes. She has been caring for babies in South Sudan for 20 years. She is firm, yet gentle. She easily laughs, yet becomes teary when describing some of the traumas she witnessed during war-time in Sudan. She is a Catholic nun originally from India. She refuses to stay in expensive hotels when invited to lecture at special events. She carries a little purple purse.

“She” is Sister Gracy. She embodies the spirit of compassion. She is a mentor for many young women, and for men too. And she is a founder of the only fully registered nursing school in South Sudan called “Mary Help Training Center.”

Sister Gracy is the kind of person who makes me want to be a better person. Without propagation, she’s even the type of woman who could inspire me to want to attend mass at the nearest cathedral if it might help me live more like her.

In a short amount of time, I have developed a great deal of respect for this woman. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs or unbelief, Sister Gracy represents a vision for a brighter Sudan. If I could cast a vote for an annual peace prize recipient, she would be a strong candidate.

In 2010, we will be encouraging some of our Africa ELI students to volunteer at her community health center. I feel confident that the experience and knowledge they will gain from being under her tutelage will have a ripple effect. Just imagine how many people in South Sudan will be indirectly impacted by her wisdom and perseverance. Certainly it will be one more way for Africa ELI students to “build peace through education.”

Today I attended a drama presentation performed by local youth in the region. In fact, multiple dramas have been presented in the last two days as a part of the 2009 “Drama Festival” in Yei. I felt like a proud stage mom watching our Africa ELI-sponsored students show their thespian talents.

The theme of the drama festival was “Let Us Build a Democratic Nation through Peaceful Elections.” With national elections coming up in Sudan, the topic was quite timely.

In the play I watched, student actors educated the audience about the importance of being involved in civil society. Instructions about voting were given. The importance of obtaining a national identity card was stressed. Educating yourself about the candidates and their qualifications was demonstrated. Influence of the media, bribery, and election violence instigated by police brutality were also acted out. Advice was given: “Vote wisely. This is your chance to select the right leader.”

A mock election, with a big ballot box and and ink for thumbprints, was staged. Student actors portrayed all members of society lining up to vote. There were women and men, young and old, veterans, villagers, crippled people, expectant mothers, and all tribes represented. On this stage of theatrics, even a drunkard showed up at the ballot box to cast his vote. He offered a bit of comic relief for the playhouse.

Following the mock election, the votes were counted openly and a winner was announced. The “new President” gave an acceptance speech. In another comedic gesture, his first cabinet appointment was given to the losing candidate – “the Minister of Crime and Punishment.”

As a part of the President’s inauguration, a prayer was given by a female priest. In his inaugural speech, the President placed his hand on a Bible and said, “I want to execute my duties without fear in service to my people.”

I am no Roger Ebert, but I give this show an enthusiastic ink-stained thumbs up! Hats off to the creative young people for taking the lead role in educating a new generation of voters in an emerging civil society. I can hardly wait for the results.