News Archives
Unleash The Leaders!Join PESS and the Girl Effect Challenge! Unleash the Leaders! Join the Movement to Empower 400 Girls in South Sudan through the Girl Effect Challenge "One Day I will serve the world as I am learning to work for the betterment of the individual and community as a whole. An educated girl can come out first and take the lead!" - Annah Angeth Awan P8, 14 year old orphan Honor Student PESS Student Government for Girls by Girls program at Ayak Anguei GIrls Primary Boarding School will develop: Vote with your donation for “Unleash the Leaders” at the Girl Effect Global Giving Challenge. |
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Kelly and Courtney Return from South SudanPESS welcomes back Courtney Cohen and Kelly O’Connor from their field work this summer in South Sudan. They are both dedicated Josef Korbel School of International Studies Interns who will be presenting their fieldwork and updates in a speaker series this fall. On October 7th, they will present at The Women’s College, DU 12:15-1:15 PM introducing the newer students to their sister school Ayak Anguei. On Oct 9th, 12:00-1:30 at Korbel School, Cyber Café, they will be joining other colleagues who interned in other countries, sharing their field work. On Oct 22-23, they will be joining Board Member Bol Abiar and Executive Director, Carol Rinehart in Salida, CO, presenting to both the community and many supporting Sister Schools in Salida. |
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2012 Half the Sky FairSaturday, October 27, 2012, 11:00am to 7:00pm The Women’s College of the University of Denver The Garden Room 1901 E. Asbury Avenue Denver, CO 80208 The 3rd annual Half the Sky* Fair, organized by communication student groups Women’s Communication Network and Lambda Pi Eta, promotes awareness of organizations that empower women and girls worldwide. The Women’s College is a sister school to Ayak Anguei Girls Primary Boarding School opened by Project Education South Sudan (PESS) in 2007. Find out about the Ayak Anguei girls’ progress and achievements, volunteer opportunities, and items for sale at the PESS table. There will be exhibit tables in the International Market with beautiful and internationally women made pieces, entertainment, food, and a silent auction with an array of donated items and services in all price points. Project Education South Sudan and The Women’s College Half the Sky International Student Scholarship Fund are the beneficiaries of the event. PESS wishes to use this year’s raised funds for Maternal & Child Healthcare worker Ajah Gai’s stipend who facilitates the Feminine Hygiene and HIV/Aids Education Initiative for girls at Ayak Anguei and for a female tailor who will help run the Sanitary Pad Vocational Program. Attendance is free and open to the public. *View "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," a four-hour PBS primetime documentary film inspired by the widely acclaimed book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. |
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Kelly and Courtney Leave for South Sudan: Journey of Hope 2012JKSIS University of Denver Interns Kelly O’Connor and Courtney Cohen have been working for months in preparation for the Journey of Hope 2012 trip from June 20 to August 6. They are hoping to do quite a lot of field surveying and research data collecting to continue the PESS Community Leadership development focus. The programs will offer capacity development training to promote sustainable community empowered program models. The leadership series under research and development includes a Girls’ Leadership Development program with a pilot to be implemented in 2013. The three components include Feminine Hygiene/HIV Education, Student Government, and Girls Sports Empowerment. The series is designed to support young girls at Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary Boarding School with the goal being to develop and increase girl’s leadership and gender equality within the community, female decision-making, and leadership roles for females. Along with the survey taking, they will assist Ajah Gai, Maternal and Child Healthcare worker on the distribution of 200 washable, reusable sanitary pads to cut down on school absenteeism with instruction in HIV Education. While in South Sudan, Kelly and Courtney will assist Daniel Majok Gai, PESS South Sudan Director, with teacher and Ministry of Education survey data collection as well as attending meetings and workshops with other NGOs for possible partnerships. They will also be representatives of PESS NGO education cluster meetings to continue developing relationships with government officials, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, County, State and local leaders. Excerpt from one of their blogs: “So! We finally made it to Bor. Kelly was invited by the bush pilot to fly the plane to Bor, so she hopped into the co-pilot’s seat and flew us in!! Our tukel was mudded and beautifully decorated by Daniel’s wife Yom with flowered sheets on the walls. Kelly whipped out soccer balls and is already playing with the kids. Went to an education cluster meeting on Education in Emergencies and are continuing on to Pagook to distribute pads, HIV education and girls and teacher surveys this week.” If you want to follow their work and blogs please request to be on the list serve by contacting us at info@projecteducationsudan.org. |
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Freelance International Correspondent Tamara Banks Has Been Nominated for an Emmy With the National Association of Arts and ScienceIn the Spring of 2011, Emmy Award-winning Journalist Tamara Banks accompanied the PESS Journey of Hope team and filmed the villages, communities and people in Jonglei State, South Sudan. Her nomination is for her news coverage focused on South Sudan Director Daniel Majok Gai and PESS’s work to build schools and an educational infrastructure in the documentary, South Sudan: The World’s Newest Country. The 2012 Heartland Chapter Emmys will be held July 21 in Denver, Colorado. The documentary may be viewed in its entirety, on Colorado Public Television, Studio 12 here. View the video on YouTube. |
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Sewing for South SudanOn April 22 Empower Women in Africa, and PESS joined hands at Fancy Tiger Crafts to sew feminine hygiene sanitary pads for the girls and women at Ayak Anguei Girls Primary School and Tong Pagook Primary School. Thanks to Lori Schippers, Founder of EWA, and PESS volunteers Courtney Cohen, Kelly O’Connor, Taylor Gibson (who lost a thumbnail putting snaps on!), Teri Appell, Brianna Lopez, Ayor Abiar, Susan, Emily and Kate Broyles, and Sarah Gates for their cutting, sewing, and snap adhering skills to make it happen! Journey of Hope 2012 team members Kelly O’Connor and Courtney Cohen will be distributing over 200 pads as part of their summer field and research intern work in South Sudan. |
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JKSIS, University of Denver Interns Creating Girls Leadership Development Program!The Girls’ Leadership Development program is designed to support young girls at Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary School in its efforts to address the concerns of leadership development through a young girls Sports Empowerment soccer program, a student government component and an enhanced girls health education initiative focusing on feminine hygiene and HIV education to support a young girl’s ability to be a healthy active member of society. The program will offer capacity development training based on the three components addressed above to promote sustainable community empowered program models. A young girl’s health education training, as well as feminine pad production and distribution will take place, in efforts to in-crease overall health and feminine hygiene which in turn will increase human capital and impact school absenteeism within the communities. A Sports Empowerment soccer program will be added to the school in efforts to instill team-building skills and people-focused leadership development while increasing self-esteem and confidence. A student government initiative will be implemented within the school with a focus on conflict resolution to develop decision-making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The aim is to develop and increase girls leadership within the community to increase gender equality, female decision-making, and leadership roles for females. |
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Movie Presentation of One Day on EarthOne Day on Earth is the first film made in every country of the world on the same day: 10.10.10. You will see both the challenges and hopes of humanity from a diverse group of volunteer filmmakers assembled by a participatory media experiment. Carol Rinehart, producer, scriptwriter and director partnered with Emmy award winning journalist and documentary filmmaker Tamara Banks to create Referendum: Diaspora Perspective in response to an invitation from One Day on Earth to add the voices of the Denver Sudanese Diaspora to this historic piece of cinema. Segments of our film were accepted into the final edit of the full length documentary. Carol and Tamara will be part of the Q&A panel after the Denver global screening. In addition, you may read the Profile Spotlight at One Day on Earth for in depth information about the full length PESS film which records the journey from oppression and war to freedom. View the One Day on Earth trailer here. |
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Sudan Walk at Wellington Middle SchoolWellington Middle School (WMS) National Junior Honor Society and Eagle Power class are putting together the 3rd annual fundraiser for Project Education South Sudan called the Sudan Walk. To symbolize the 1,000 miles that the Sudanese children walked to try to escape the massacres in their own country, Wellington Middle School staff, students, and friends, 100 strong, will walk 10 miles in an effort to raise money and awareness for Project Education South Sudan. The Walk will take place at 9:00 a.m. on April 28, 2012 at Wellington Middle School. WMS is a supporting sister school of Tong Pagook Primary School in PESS South Sudan Director Daniel Majok Gai’s village. Bol Abiar, Daniel’s brother and PESS Board member will be giving an inspirational talk to the students and taking the first step to lead the walkers. |
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Plant and Give Back!Tagawa Gardens Fundraisers and Making a Difference (MAD) have introduced a Give Back Program to support Ayak Anguei All Girls School. Print this coupon to present at checkout and Tagawa will give PESS at least 10% of sales and up to 25% if the total sales are over $10,000 from you, our supporters. All you have to do is purchase those seeds, saplings and plants for your garden before June 13, 2012. Tagawa Gardens This is not a discount on your purchases; however your support for this worthy cause will not cost you anything extra. Thanks for your support! Happy planting! New seeds blooming into mosquito nets and blankets! |
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Ears To Our World (ETOW) Honors World Radio Day in PESS South Sudan Schools
ETOW’s radios, we’re pleased to state, take a starring role in the PESS teacher training program. There are currently four PESS schools in an area of Southern Sudan so remote that resources often have to be flown in on chartered planes. ETOW radios are in all four, helping teachers bring both education and hope to a devastated population. There is currently no public telecommunications infrastructure in South Sudan, yet ETOW radios make diverse programming available to these teachers, via shortwave and FM broadcasts. In classrooms that lack not only electricity, but often paper and pencils, these rugged, self-powered worldband receivers offer a tremendous wealth of free teaching material. Daniel Majok Gai, a member of the board of directors of PESS as well as its South Sudan Director, tells ETOW that the teachers in the new schools are using their radios to listen to FM 95.5 news from 6-10 a.m. and from 3-10 p.m. and to South Sudan Mirriaya news on a daily basis.
ETOW’s goal this year is to offer greater benefit to more children and their communities by sending additional radios to South Sudan, and even more countries where radio-whether local or international — is a lifeline of information in the community. ETOW firmly believes that access to information is access to education and both are essential human rights. |
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World Radio Day Monday, February 13, 2012 is a celebration of the importance of the medium of radio throughout our world. Project Education South Sudan (PES) partners with Ears To Our World (ETOW), is celebrating by sending 45 more radios to the world’s newest country: South Sudan in February 2012.
Gai says that “the teachers use the radios to collect good stories and share them with the students.” From his observations, Gai adds, “These radios have created a wider benefit between teachers at PESS school and those teaching from the government schools… living within the same community.” He believes the teachers working in the PES-supported schools have an enviable advantage over those in the government institutions.Lost Boy Helps Rebuild Homelandby Andrea Dukakis, Producer/Reporter
Daniel Majok Gai is one of the so-called “Lost Boys of Sudan.” These boys fled the country in the 1980’s when their villages were destroyed. Gai wound up in Denver and went to college here. Now, he’s working with the Denver non-profit “Project Education South Sudan” in the region where he grew up. It’s part of South Sudan, the world’s newest country. Gai recalled that when he was six, he was taken from his family at gunpoint and eventually WALKED hundreds of miles with other boys to get to refugee camps. Gai says he never thought he’d go back to his village. Ryan Warner speaks with Gai and with Carol Rinehart, who co-founded and directs Project Education South Sudan. |
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BloodSource Employees Who Provided Funding for a PESS Water Well Present a Check to PESS Executive Director
This is Velocity of Generosity at work — BloodSource California employees touching lives throughout the region and across the world. BloodSource employees understand the importance of giving back to our community. Through the countless acts of BloodSource employee generosity, families are fed, sick and needy children receive toys, money is raised to help fund cancer research and other diseases and water wells are being drilled for clean water in South Sudan. On November 22, 2011 BloodSource employees at Mather, CA presented Carol Francis-Rinehart, Executive Director of Project Education South Sudan with the resources to drill the second BloodSource employee funded water well. The second well was drilled in Gopmeth, South Sudan, to serve around 5,000 people and children. Project Education South Sudan is a non-profit organization helping build, staff, train and supply primary schools for children and communities in the most rural part of South Sudan, Africa. Watch the Velocity of Generosity Celebration of BloodSource employees who touch lives throughout the region and across the world: |
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Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund Funds Bunk Beds for 104 Girls at Ayak Anguei Girls’ School
Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (VGIF) is meeting the seemingly insurmountable challenges of combating poverty and achieving gender equality in developing countries. VGIF has contributed in excess of $1.5 million USD to support over 350 projects worldwide to help… one women’s group at a time… alleviate these problems. Thanks to VGIF, one of our major funders, who have made possible the recent delivery of 104 bunk beds at Ayak Anguei Girls’ Boarding School. Their contribution has made a significant difference in the lives of the girls who now can stay on campus to continue their studies without sleeping on the floor. “This is a joyous day in life to sleep on a bed enjoying my sleep without fear of snake bite.” “We are free from scorpions and other insect bites now that we are not sleeping on the floor.” “We waited so long but at long last we are excited to sleep on the new bunk beds.” |
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World population is over 7 billion people, the majority of whom are women in developing countries who live in poverty. Gender disparities in economic power-sharing, in education, and access to adequate health care — all contribute to the oppression of these women.South Sudan Program Director Daniel Majok Gai Announces His Marriage to Yom Mach Anuul“I just want to inform you, my friends, volunteers, PES’s donors, and Board of Directors that I have successfully married my future and beautiful wife on December 26, 2011. Indeed I’m grateful and I want all of you to share the happiness and love of beginning my new life’s adventure.” We are so very happy for Daniel and Yom. Their match was made in heaven! |
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South Sudan, the World’s Newest Country PBS Mini-Documentary Produced by Tamara BanksThe Journey of Hope 2011 trip this past spring included Emmy Award-winning Journalist Tamara Banks. Tamara has been working in South Sudan on a documentary about it becoming a new nation and chose to travel with Project Education South Sudan to include our work in her documentary. On March 30, 2011 she debuted a mini-documentary on Daniel Gai and PESS on her PBS Show, Studio 12. Tamara Banks - Executive Producer, Correspondent, Photographer View the documentary on YouTube. |
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11.11.11 One Day on EarthProject Education South Sudan was once again invited by One Day on Earth to participate with documentary filmmakers, schools, non-profits, students and inspired citizens to document the amazing diversity, conflict, tragedy, and triumph of the human experience over a 24-hour period around the world. This year 11.11.11. we will be filming in South Sudan with Daniel Majok Gai, PESS South Sudan Director, behind the camera capturing the voices and landscape of the newest country on the world, The Republic of South Sudan. Through this collaborative platform, One Day on Earth will create a 120-minute documentary to be released theatrically that will capture the diversity of life and culture on this planet. South Sudan Film Maker, Daniel Majok Gai – PESS South Sudan Director Director/Producer, Carol Francis-Rinehart – Executive Director Project Education South Sudan |
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2011 Half the Sky* FairNovember 5 and 6, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. “Women hold up half the sky,” according to a Chinese adage. The 2nd annual Half the Sky* Fair is a lively celebration of the light and hope that women represent around the globe. Meet dedicated individuals from women-centered non-profit organizations that empower women and girls worldwide. At the Fair you will find gift items to purchase, entertainment, food, and silent auction items to bid on in a wide variety of price points. One of the beneficiaries of the auction is our sister school, Ayak Anguei in South Sudan. The Women’s College partners with Project Education South Sudan on behalf of our little sisters. The funds raised from this event will go toward the Ayak Anguei Uniform Project to provide each of the 600 girls a uniform. A girl wearing a uniform is a statement of pride and confidence which announces to the village and the world, “I am a girl going to school and getting an education!” The silent auction will feature generous donations from a variety of donors — the Westin Hotel Downtown, the Green Horse Gallery, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Comedy Works, and more. The proceeds of the silent auction will benefit Project Education South Sudan, the inaugural Half the Sky scholarship, and Half the Sky Foundation. Attendance is free and open to the public. Project Education South Sudan accepts major credit cards. Proceeds benefit: |
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Climb for Sudan a Success - Raised Over $76,000!We initially wanted to raise $70,000, then someone said, “Why not make it $100,000?” Setting the $100,000 goal bolstered our fundraising efforts. Thanks to your support we were able to raise over $76,000 to help build four classrooms at Pagook Primary and a third dormitory for Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary School! Times are tough in the current economy, but we’re grateful that you, our supporters recognize the ongoing need in South Sudan. We ca leec Areetic! |
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Our Top of the Peak Event was a huge success — thank you to everybody who
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Honorary Chair Renowned Mountaineer, |
Celebrity Bartenders Denver Bronco Alumni |
Honorary Dudes 14er Climbers |
Honorary Guests Lost Boys of Sudan |
RSVP by Sept 1, 2011
Purchase tickets online at www.blacktie-colorado.com/rsvp.
Climb for SudanClimb For Sudan presented by LARABAR is a 70 day event to honor the people of South Sudan and the importance of education as they become the newest nation in the world on July 9, 2011. We were approached by two mountain climbers, Joe Rogers and Nick Spivey who were inspired by the “Lost Boys” of Sudan’s thousand mile journey across three countries. In talking to Joe and Nick, we realized that we are all climbers. To climb is to reach for something greater than ourselves, to rise up, to ascend. It all started becoming clear to us. The people of South Sudan are climbers. The “Lost Boys” are climbers. Our volunteers and people who help us build schools in South Sudan are climbers. Our donors are climbers. With that realization the Climb For Sudan was born. Our goal with the Climb For Sudan is to raise $100,000 and celebrate the independence of South Sudan and the importance of education as they become the newest nation in the world. Money raised by Project Education South Sudan will fund much needed classrooms, dormitories, bunk beds/bedding and desks for four schools in three rural villages in Jonglei state. Please visit www.climbforsudan.org for information and How to Become a Sponsor. Click here to donate on Crowdrise. Presented By
Current Sponsors
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Project Education South Sudan Awarded $70,000 Grant From LARABARProject Education South Sudan will expand its school development in three villages in Jonglei State, South Sudan, thanks to a $70,000 Grant from LARABAR, Small Planet Foods, General Mills. The Grant, which will be rolled-out over three years, will result in our schools continued development of Jonglei Hope Secondary Academy in Maar, Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary in Konbek and Pagook Secondary in Pagook. All three schools serve over 1,500 students of which over half are girls. In photo at right are (left to right) Sarah McDowell, LARABAR Brand Development, Daniel Gai and Panther Abuk, PESS Sudanese Board Members, Carol Rinehart, Executive Director. |
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Project Education South Sudan Now a Part of “She’s The First” NetworkProject Education South Sudan is now a part of the “She’s The First” network, a non-profit that sponsors girls’ education in the developing world. Below is an article featuring Project Education South Sudan and our She’s The First page! She’s The First launched an April Poetry Month E-Card with all proceeds going to a full sponsorship of a girl in a PESS school in South Sudan. Annah Angeth Awan has been selected for sponsorship from the donations received through She’s The First! Click below to read the article and see the letter from Annah and the headmaster of Tong Pagook Primary School, James Lual John: Annah Angeth Awan: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/05/meet-the-student-we-sponsored-together-via-poetry-month-ecards/ Poetry E-Card: www.shesthefirst.org/poetry-month-ecards-lets-sponsor-a-girl-in-sudan/ Article: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/03/welcome-to-the-network-project-education-sudan/ Sponsored Girl: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/05/project-education-sudan-changing-lives-one-girl-at-a-time/ Feminine Hygiene Program: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/05/new-hygiene-program-launched-to-keep-girls-in-school/ PESS Page: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/02/project-education-sudan/ |
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Sudan Program Director Daniel Majok GaiDaniel came to the United States as a twenty-year-old refugee in 2001. At the age of six, he had escaped into the bush alone when a northern militia attacked his South Sudanese village. He spent the next fourteen years in camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, having trekked hundreds of miles, first into Ethiopia, and then, when the “Lost Boys” were driven out of that region, to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Daniel received his high school certificate in Kakuma, where he learned under a tree, without pens or paper. Daniel became a United States citizen in 2007 and recently graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a BA in Psychology where he will continue his graduate work. At UCD, he won the 2010 Rosa Park Diversity Student Award and worked as a Student Advocate at the Educational Opportunity Program. Daniel is a board member of PESS and has returned to Sudan twice as part of the PESS team, where he met with village elders to negotiate PES’s third school site; assisted with the teacher training and women’s literacy programs; provided training to the PESS Sudanese Field Coordinator. In 2008, Project Education South Sudan reunited Daniel with his family. After being selected by Leadership Institute of New Sudan (LIONS), JKSIS University of Denver, to participate in an emergent leadership development program at Juba University in South Sudan, Daniel was appointed the Sudan Program Director for Project Education South Sudan. In February 2011, he will travel to Sudan for one year to work in conjunction with PESS Sudan Field Coordinator Panther Kelei to oversee and monitor PESS projects on the ground. “I am sure the relationships I made during his leadership training in Juba will create a network beneficial to Project Education South Sudan’s goals in the future. My biggest hope is to see the Sudanese people prosper, and I believe I can be an emerging leader for my country’s development.” – Daniel Majok Gai |
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Project Education South Sudan’s Referendum: Diaspora PerspectiveProject Education South Sudan was invited by One Day on Earth to participate with documentary filmmakers, schools, non-profits, students and inspired citizens to document the amazing diversity, conflict, tragedy, and triumph of the human experience over a 24-hour period around the world. Through this collaborative platform, One Day on Earth will create a 120-minute documentary to be released theatrically that will capture the diversity of life and culture on this planet. We have partnered with Denver journalist and documentary filmmaker Tamara Banks and film editor Jim Hucks to bring the voices of the Denver Sudanese Diaspora to the world. Denver Film Maker – Tamara Banks, Taz Media Denver Photojournalist, editor, producer, busy body – Jim Hucks , Diamond-Star Media Productions Executive Producer, Carol Francis-Rinehart – Executive Director Project Education South Sudan Project Education South Sudan’s Referendum: Diaspora Perspective captures the voices and stories of Denver Diaspora Sudanese Nibol Achuil, Mary Reng, Sarah Achyo and Mama Kot Bior - Bor Women’s Association of Colorado; Daniel Majok Gai - Project Education South Sudan; Agana Zephenia - L.I.O.N.S. Graduate; Gideon Abraham - SPLA Secretariat, Colorado; Carol Francis-Rinehart - Director, Project Education South Sudan and “Lost Boy” Ngor Gai Abiar as they share their hopes and perspectives on the upcoming January Referendum and journey from oppression and war to freedom. Go to www.onedayonearth.org/group/pes. |
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Making A Difference for South SudanM.A.D. for Education in South Sudan is one of 10 charitable organizations selected by the Donny.com “Making A Difference (M.A.D.)” Program started by Donny Osmond in August 2010. We are thrilled to be “M.A.D.” for girls’ education in Konbek, South Sudan! M.A.D. for Education in South Sudan is partnering with Project Education South Sudan to assist in reaching their goal at the current Fall fundraising event — to purchase 26 bunk beds for one dormitory which would sleep 52 girls. Aracely Pesek, President, and Lindsey Pesek, Vice-President, of M.A.D. for Education in South Sudan, have been involved with Project Education South Sudan for the last three years by participating in fundraisers sponsored by the school which Lindsey attends, Eaglecrest High School. Eaglecrest is located in Centennial, Colorado and is a sister school to Ayak Anguei in Konbek, South Sudan. For more information visit www.madforsouthernsudan.com. |
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Project Education South Sudan and 73rd Avenue Theatre Company Sponsor Clare Bayley’s The ContainerProject Education South Sudan and 73rd Avenue Theatre Company are sponsoring the North American premiere of Clare Bayley’s The Container, directed by Jesse Larner. Other sponsors include Project Worth More, CoAid-Community Aid Relief and Development and African Community Center. Five immigrants from the Middle East and Africa fleeing their homelands hope for a new life in the UK. Human dignity and basic survival are put to the test as they are smuggled inside an empty container car under appalling conditions — the location and duration of their trip is unknown. Allegiances to nationality and individuality are questioned both by refugees and the black-market traffickers profiting at a time when societies previously known have failed and humane solutions cannot be guaranteed. September 5-November 7 |
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Spark Gallery Featuring Michael Gadlin Art ExhibitAugust 26-September 19, 2010 Project Education South Sudan (PES) is a US 501(c) (3) organization and registered NGO with the government of South Sudan. We were created as a partnership of Sudanese and Americans in response to the destruction that has resulted from the twenty-year civil war between North and South Sudan. PESS builds community, self-sufficiency and hope for the people of South Sudan by helping fund and support indigenous Sudanese organizations and communities that create educational infrastructure in rural villages. We work collaboratively to build primary and secondary schools, and make adult education and skills training available for all, particularly girls and women. PESS trains field personnel, provides teacher training and income literacy programs. We are committed to emancipating girls and women to attend school by bringing clean water, grinding mills and healthcare to the communities through partnerships with other international and indigenous organizations. We follow the UNICEF accountability model in funding projects, project inspection, and verification of spending requests to ensure transparency. Michael has been a generous supporter of PESS through his participation in Project Education South Sudan’s Biennial Art & Artifacts Benefit representing many well known national and Colorado artists’ work. Proceeds benefit the children of South Sudan whose dreams are to receive an education that has been denied them for many years due to war. You can help make 3,000 students dream of education become a reality by purchasing Michael’s Construction & Deconstruction art pieces. Michael is generously donating a percentage of sales to Project Education South Sudan. Proceeds benefit Jonglei Hope Secondary Academy, Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary and Pagook Secondary Schools in South Sudan. |
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Salida Second Annual Circus Stiltathon and Circus WalkOn Saturday, September 11th, Salida Circus will conduct their Second Annual Stiltathon & Circus Walk around Salida to honor the Lost Boys of Sudan 1000 mile trek. Proceeds will benefit Project Education South Sudan’s Pagook Secondary School. Kids and adults will solicit pledges for the walk which will take place on Saturday. It is one of many events taking place to benefit Project Education South Sudan and bring awareness of the Lost Boys and their efforts to give back to their homeland. The fundraiser is one of a series of events taking place in Salida: August 7-September 12 SUDAN: Promise & Hope Art and Photographic Exhibit September 10
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Half the SkyAugust 7 & 8, 2010, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Half The Sky Fair, inspired by the Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn book and organized by The Women’s College Culture and Communications class is dedicated to organizations that support women and girls around the world. Ayak Anguei Girls’ School is Sister School Partners with The Women’s College. The funds raised from this event will go toward the Ayak Anguei Uniform Project to provide each of the 600 girls a uniform. A girl wearing a uniform is a statement of pride and confidence which announces to the village and the world, “I am a girl going to school and getting an education!” Join us in the Garden Room of The Women’s College, with vendors like Bread for Life, The Women’s Bean Project and other organizations that support women around the globe,. Bid at the silent auction for a chance to win tickets to Comedy Works or Lamont Opera, Jewelry, Candles, and much more! Take part in the fun, food, entertainment and empowerment education.
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SUDAN: Promise & Hope ExhibitCurator - Christine Mahree Fowler For your enjoyment, please stop by St. Mark’s Coffee House to view and purchase a vast array of artwork done by local artists as well as beautiful photographic images taken recently in South Sudan. All of the images will be on display between May 31 - July 30, 2010 and are moderately priced. Proceeds benefit Jonglei Hope Secondary Academy, Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary and Pagook Secondary Schools.
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L.I.O.N.S. (Leadership Institute of New Sudan)
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Painting a Future – Building an Education
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3rd Biennial Art & Artifacts BenefitFeaturing over 40 of Colorado’s finest artists’ original and Sudanese inspired paintings and sculpture, including collector quality African artifacts. Proceeds benefit schools currently in progress: Jonglei Hope Secondary Academy, Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary, and Pagook Secondary School. September 26, 2009 |
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Salida Circus Stiltathon and Circus WalkOn Saturday, September 12th, Salida Circus will conduct a pledged Stiltathon & Circus Walk around Salida to honor the Lost Boys of Sudan 1000 mile trek. Proceeds will benefit Project Education South Sudan’s Pagook Secondary School. Kids and adults will solicit pledges for the walk which will take place on Saturday. It is one of many events taking place to benefit Project Education South Sudan and bring awareness of the Lost Boys and their efforts to give back to their homeland. The fundraiser is one of a series of events taking place in Salaida:
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Exhibit DarfurProject Education South Sudan is a part of the National Exhibit Darfur Tour. We are represented by Carol Francis-Rinehart, Executive Director and the images from Our Journey of Hope team. Please click here to tour the exhibit. PESS is the continuum of hope out of the destruction and suffering in Sudan. |
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Girls & Women of Sudan: In Pursuit of Education
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PESS Journey of Hope Trip to South SudanThis March-April, The Journey of Hope 2008 team will consist of 13 PESS volunteers, including 4 Lost Boys, who will travel to the villages of Konbek, Pagok, Gopmeth and Maar/Paliau in South Sudan. In Sudan, the group will be implementing teacher strategy workshops to train primary and secondary school teachers and adult income literacy workshops for women to learn basic math and accounting skills to run a business around the grinding mills and sewing machines delivered to each school site. This year they will deliver three more grinding mills to each of the three villages that they visit to help emancipate the girls and women from the hours of hand grinding in order to attend school. In addition, the team will be supervising the drilling of a well and negotiating with village elders in Pagok for a third school site. They will be doing follow up monitoring and assessment of work in progress as well. |
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2nd Annual Art & Artifacts BenefitFeaturing over 25 Colorado artists’ paintings from images of the Sudan Journey of Hope 2007 trip. Saturday, September 15, 2007 |
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PESS at Taos, New MexicoOn August 25th, five of the Lost Boys and a handful of American PESS volunteers traveled to Taos, New Mexico for a fundraiser at the Gallery on the Green at the Taos Country Club. The benefit was hosted by Betsy Carey and featured dancing and singing by the Lost Boys and paintings created by local artists. Half of the proceeds from all artwork sold at the event are being donated to PESS by the artists. The artwork not sold at the event will be on display at the country club and for sale until early January 2008 with fifty percent of the proceeds continuing to be donated to PESS. This is the second time the Lost Boys have been invited to Taos; last spring, they attended a screening of the documentary film The Lost Boys of Sudan and One Story: Isaac Khor Bher. Over $1,500 was raised for treadle sewing machines for the Ayak Anguei Girls’ School in Isaac’s village of Konbek. The young men were guests at Taos Pueblo where they met and were hosted by several elders. PESS was invited to the Taos, New Mexico by Rivers & Birds a Non-profit dedicated to conservation education and biological research that supports sustainable cultural traditions and natural heritage. The local Taos school Peace Jam Club first heard about us through the Peace Jam in Denver and initiated the invitation. The Taos Pueblo Indians opened their homes, hearts and pueblo to receive “Lost Boys” Isaac Khor Bher, Lual Awok, Peter Alier Garang, Peter Madut Garang, John Panrach Mach and “Lost Girl” Akon Ezekiel. They were honored by a special Taos Pueblo ceremony by the Governor, Lt. Governor, War Chief and elders. It was a very rare and special opportunity for the Sudanese youth and Taos Pueblo elders to share common cultural traditions and heritage. Watch a video of the Lost Boys at the pueblo below. |
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11th Annual Shepard Symposium for Social JusticeFrom March 28-30, Executive Director Carol Francis-Rinehart and former intern Emily Broyles traveled to Laramie, Wyoming to bring Project Education South Sudan to the 11th Annual Shepard Symposium for Social Justice at the University of Wyoming. This year’s theme was Children’s Hopes for Peace, Our Dreams for Justice. Project Education South Sudan presented several times throughout the symposium, including the opening plenary panel where co-founder Isaac Khor Bher’s powerful documentary One Story was the highlight of the session. The conversation about the needs of South Sudan continued with the Keynote speaker, Christopher Quinn, who screened his new documentary God Grew Tired of Us at the Shepard Symposium on March 29th. God Grew Tired of Us is a highly acclaimed documentary, which follows several Lost Boys of Sudan from their home in a refugee camp in Kenya throughout the first five years of life in America after they were resettled in the West. Mr. Quinn’s candid and heartfelt remarks about this film clearly illustrated his passion for telling a compelling story and ignited the audience to get more involved in helping reconstruct South Sudan. Project Education South Sudan was proud to stand next to Mr. Quinn at this important symposium. |
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 Emily Broyles and Carol Francis-Rinehart of PESS with “God Grew Tired of Us” director Christopher Quinn. |
The symposium, which began as the Symposium for the Eradication of Social Inequality, was renamed in 2003 to honor the work of the Shepard family and the memory of their son, Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student and social activist. The symposium works as a living reminder of the need for information and dialogue about social justice concerns in the United States and beyond. Project Education South Sudan was thrilled with the level of interest and commitment found among the motivated participants and we look forward to future involvement with the Shepard Symposium, the University of Wyoming and the entire Laramie community.
Monday, February 12
Vail Symposium
“One Story”: Memories of a Lost Boy
Isaac Khor Bher and Carol Francis-Rinehart, co-founders of Project Education South Sudan
Join us for this special evening, as we present “One Story,” a short documentary that captures the compelling and poignant memories of Isaac Khor Bher, from his dislocation from family in South Sudan at the age of six, to walking barefoot for 1,000 miles to an Ethiopian refugee camp with 30,000 other war orphans.
Project Education South Sudan Executive Director, Carol Francis-Rinehart, will talk about their shared vision in founding the organization and its mission of building a primary and secondary education infrastructure including schools, teachers and school supplies in communities throughout South Sudan.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Crisis and Opportunity: South Sudan and Hope for Darfur, presented by Kelly Kinner and Carol Francis-Rinehart.
This presentation will begin with Kelly Kinner, professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Kelly will give an overview of the historical context of the complexities of the crisis in Darfur, beginning with the civil war in South Sudan in 1983. Kelly will then address media coverage of the Darfur crisis, addressing both the lack of coverage and the lack of positive developments in the aftermath of the civil war.
Carol Rinehart, Executive Director of Project Education South Sudan, will address the impact the civil war had on South Sudanese regarding the genocide that took more than 2 million lives. Carol will share the social infrastructure problems, land issues and emotional trauma that the South Sudanese have had to endure, and the resiliency in which they are moving forward with rebuilding their lives. She will also address hope for the region, based on her experience with her work in South Sudan and her perspective as a volunteer working with African refugees for over 25 years.
February 3, 2007
Silent Auction and Gala Event Dinner
Things are moving quickly for Project Education South Sudan! We are delighted to welcome back our dedicated Journey of Hope team, who traveled into South Sudan from December 25 to January 16. They have shared with us their moving stories of new hope for education in this war-torn region. The team will be making a complete report on the trip, with a multi-media presentation at the gala. Please come to hear this wonderful story and meet the team in person!
We also have received word that Ambassador Timothy Carney has been asked by the State Department to lead the new reconstruction efforts in Iraq and will be leaving very soon for Baghdad. Tim, we wish you the very best for this challenging new assignment!
We were delighted to learn that his wife, Victoria Butler, will deliver the keynote at the gala. She will talk about the work she and Tim have done for the State Department in Sudan and the prospects for long term peace and stability.
Together with Michael Freeman and Tim, she has written a beautiful illustrated book called Sudan: The Land and the People, and will be presenting to us the slide show from the book that was originally presented to the Royal Geographical Society.
Vicki served as Information Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and headed the office producing educational materials for the United Nations Mission in Cambodia. As a freelance writer, she has worked for Time Magazine, the Toronto Globe and Mail, Voice of America, NBC News, and APTV. Her stories have appeared in numerous magazines around the world including International Wildlife, Reader’s Digest, and Eastern Economic Review. She wrote the text for two illustrated books on Indonesian artists. She has lived and traveled extensively in Sudan.
January 31, 2007
International Night
Sudanese Lost Boy Daniel Gai will speak at Field Elementary’s Internation Night on January 31st. The event also highlights the Kissidugu Percussion and Dance Group. In addition, Field Elementary student will share some of their international connections from their IB units.
December 25, 2006 to January 16, 2007
PESS Journey of Hope to South Sudan
PESS is taking a team to South Sudan to assess two boarding schools and to reunite 5 “Lost Boys” with their “found” parents. The dedicated team of 6 Sudanese and 6 Americans includes:
- • Carol Rinehart, Executive Director of PESS who will assess teacher/student curricular needs
- • Rich Rinehart, Board Member who will teach accounting systems to our partners in the field, Jonglei Development Society
- • Ray Stranske, Board Member, who is teaching and working alongside the local construction people to introduce and teach a new latex roofing method
- • Martha Riley, Eaglecrest High School AVID teacher and Steering Committee member, who will coordinate all teacher/student circular assessment
- • David Ruskay, owner of Positive Energy Company who is installing solar energy on a previously existing school
- • Jeff and Lauren Larsen, who will assess the need for boreholes
- • The University of Denver, Africa Today Associates representative, Frederick Agyeman-duah, has visited Maar working on medical assessment to build a health clinic.
The “Lost Boys of Sudan” who are joining the team are:
- • Isaac Khor Bher, Co-founder/VP of PES, who will introduce and teach the local contractors a new latex roofing method
- • Lual Peter Awok, Solar specialist, who will work on the solar installation
- • Ayuel Yiep Koch, DU Daniels School of Business Accounting Major who will teach accounting methods
- • Panther Abuk Kuol, UC Denver who is the field coordinator for the borehole drilling
- • Abraham John Panchol, RTD Driver who is translator support for curricular assessment
- • Jacob Lueth, translator support
All 5 young men are also being reunited with their families whom they have not seen in over 20 years due to the war in South Sudan in the 1980’s-90’s. The team planning has been in full gear since August 2006. We depart December 25, 2006, arriving back in Denver January 16, 2007. The energy, dedication and long hours the team members are putting into this, all volunteer time, is inspiring. We are all very grateful to you, OUR DONORS, for making this possible. We ARE making a difference one village at a time!
November 17, 2006
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November 11, 2006
Building Bridges of Hope – A Benefit for Project Education South Sudan
Event Chair – Deb Iole
Join us for a fundraising evening. Meet the Sudanese and American team who will be going to South Sudan this December to build and reunify four “Lost Boys.” The short documentary “One Story” will be shown.
October 21st, 2006
Community of Sudanese and American Women (CSAW)
Under the auspices of the Boulder Public Library Foundation CSAW will hold a benefit at the Boulder Public Library for the 26 Sudanese young women and their dependents whom they are helping to resettle in Boulder. They plan to sell the new Sudan note cards and original art work, have traditional food, music, dancing, and story-telling. Please see their website www.csawcolorado.org for on-going information about the organization. We hope you will save this date and join in on the fun.
September 15-17, 2006
PeaceJam
SEE OUR PEACE JAM PHOTOS HERE!
PeaceJam is an international educational program built around leading Nobel Peace laureates who work personally with youth 14 to 19 years of age to pass on the spirit, skills and wisdom they embody. The goal of PeaceJam is to create young leaders who are committed to positive change in themselves, their local communities and the world.
Join the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Rigoberta Menchu Tum and 9 other Nobel Peace Prize winners and 3,000 youth from around the world at this extraordinary event.
It is with great pleasure that PESS announces that the Lost Boys of Sudan and Project Education South Sudan will be represented at this year’s event. Isaac Khor Bher will represent the Lost Boys community in Denver and PESS. Students will attend a break out session where they will watch his documentary and be able to ask him questions. Students from Arapahoe High School’s Amnesty International club will staff the PESS booth, in order to let participants know how they can help spread awareness about the situations in South Sudan.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.peacejam.org.
Art and Artifacts: Paintings of South Sudan
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Project Education South Sudan Fundraising Gala
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