By Erin Knesek and Gabriel Maluak | Project Leaders
Dear Project Supporters,
We are happy to bring you another project report to update you on SESSO's operations. This month we have a “special edition” report to introduce you to two of our new scholarship recipients!
Meet our new students: Monica and Ajak
MONICA:
Monica was born in December 2014 in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya where she and her parents lived until they were able to move back to South Sudan in early 2023. Her father was a high school teacher and was the family’s source of income, while her mother does subsistence farming (farming to meet the family needs) at their home on the outskirts of Juba, South Sudan. In September of 2023, her father unexpectedly passed away in a traffic accident. Monica had been attending school up to this point, but with the loss of her father’s income, the family could no longer afford school fees, and Monica was forced to drop out of 3rd grade in December of 2023.
A member of the church that Monica and her mother attend brought their tragic story to SESSO. SESSO representatives scheduled a visitation with Monica and her mother, and were able to talk to Monica about her hopes for her future. She talked of her dreams of becoming a pilot in the future. Her face lit up at the possibility of being able to return to school. SESSO has committed to sponsoring her studies from now through high school. SESSO volunteers brought her to the school she will attend to be evaluated and enrolled, and it was recommended that she start in 3rd grade, which is the grade she was unable to complete when her father passed away.
SESSO has fully paid for this academic year for Monica, and we look forward to providing our donors with updates as she progresses through her studies. What a blessing to journey alongside Monica as her new hope story is just unfolding.
AJAK:
South Sudan broke out into a very long and violent civil war that began in December 2013. Many lost their lives in various horrific attacks, including both parents of a boy named Ajak. He was only 3 years old at the time, and his aunt took over as his caretaker at that time. She has been taking care of Ajak since then, and paying for his schooling, but in 2002 she lost her job, and has been unable to continue to send him to school. SESSO opened up applications in early 2024, and Ajak was one of the orphans shortlisted for review and interviewing. His story, academic scores and motivation for the future impressed our interviewers. Ajak dreams of becoming an engineer and talks a lot about helping others in need in his future.
Ajak’s tuition and school fees have been paid in full for the 2024 academic year. We look forward to watching this young man succeed in his studies and in working toward his dreams. We are not able to do this without your support, and we humbly thank each and every one of you for supporting these young people.
Thanks again for your support! Our other students are all still doing well, and you will hear more of their progress in our next report!
By Erin Knesek and Gabriel Maluak | Project Leaders
By Erin Knesek and Gabriel Maluak | Project Leaders
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