Run for Sudan

 

On Saturday 9th July South Sudan split from the north of the country marking the final key milestone in the 2005 peace agreement that ended over 20 years of brutal civil war. The fighting claimed the lives of an estimated two million people and displaced four million. It’s hard to imagine suffering on this scale, and how many stories of individual children and families have been affected over the decades. 

And in a country where a 15 year old girl has a higher chance of dying during child birth than completing school, the challenges ahead are many.

On Sunday 25th September, the 78th day of this new country, World Vision staff and supporters will run the Oxford half marathon to raise money for vital advocacy work to support the people of Sudan.

Generations have been born and raised without the most basic rights to health, education and protection from violence. And while independence is a huge political event, what does it mean for ordinary families?

By making a donation you can support our work in South Sudan by giving the people a voice, a chance to share their problems and needs. In practice this means getting out to our projects, speaking to community members and our field staff and finding out the issues and challenges they’re facing. Then feeding this back to decision-makers in Juba, the capital of Sudan, telling the government what the people need. Whilst also giving colleagues back in countries like the UK the information they need to influence their governments to support the people of South Sudan.

It’s crucial that these community voices are heard, more so than ever with the political changes taking place.

Over the coming months, the focus of this advocacy work will be on child health.  Talking to women across Southern Sudan this is a key concern for them, especially as one in seven children born in South Sudan will die before their fifth birthday

Please show your support and make a donation.

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