Sudan Projects

I.  In Support of the National Church

Scholarships for Pastoral Training. The ECCSS/E has placed scholarships for pastoral training as a high priority. Similar to our own denominational roots, this young denomination seeks trained clergy. They actually want their pastors trained in Bible, theology, and community/economic development. Their plan is for the trained to become trainers and for congregations to establish sustainable
economic development programs.

•  Scholarships in 2007

 $15,000

•  Scholarships in 2008

 $17,000

Guest House in Malakal. In Malakal, one plot of land is close to the airport. There are very few places in this recovering city for United Nations staff or any visitors to stay. It appears that with a good business plan the church could establish a for-profit business that would serve the community, but also become a cash revenue source for the young church.

$125,000

Housing for Elected Leaders of the ECCSS/E. This is also a major concern. In Sudan, there are more than 2.5 million internally displaced persons. The closing of refugee camps in neighboring Ethiopia will only increase the pressure on housing, water, sanitation, and land prices. All of the ECCSS/E leaders are displaced with their families. It seems wise that the majority minister from Malakal, where the central office will be located, and they are willing to bring their families there. However, they have been living in a bombed out house (all seven leaders) for $60 a month. They will need assistance to construct simple homes that can withstand the heat and rains (meaning at least metal roofs).

• 7 homes x $5,000 = $35,000 (earth house “tukul”, with metal roof and dimension lumber)

 $35,000

Office Support Appropriation. The ECCSS/E has asked for an initial three year “office support” appropriation.

 $18,000
(a year)

II. In Support of Holistic, Community Development

Sustainable Agricultural Development - The Evangelical Covenant Church of South Sudan and Ethiopia (ECCSS/E) is in the first year of this program. They had a very successful growing season on rented land near the Nile. In addition to feeding persons, crops are being stored for sale as the price increases, in preparation for a second year. The ECCSS/E is hoping to increase the amount of planted land, purchase bags for grain storage and sale, and purchase more tools.

 $20,000

Aid for Education - The ECCSS/E hosts six schools. Good Hope is one school in Bentiu, Sudan, which hosts more than 2,200 students and is the only Christian school in the region. This amazing ministry is hosted by the local Covenant members, everal of whom were educators before the years of war. All the teachers are volunteers. The school is composed of students, most of whom have lost one or both parents and a sister or brother. The school tries to charge 60 cents a month for tuition, to assist with school supplies and a daily meal. In many cases there is no payment received from the student. Many carry and sell firewood or haul water to pay their school fee. Students presently are housed in a leaky earthen structure. The ECCSS/E has asked us to assist them in:

• building a block structure with a metal roof,

• aid in school supplies,

• partnership in the food program, and

• assistance in offering a small start-up stipend to teachers.

This program, with its very basic structure, still manages to contribute students with the highest eighth grade scores in the Bentiu region. Good Hope was the project for the Covenant World Relief offering at CHIC in July 2006. As the funds are raised, Covenant World Mission also wishes to assist the additional schools hosted by ECCSS/E congregations in several villages.

 $400,000
(over three years)

Micro-enterprises - As a church the ECCSS/E is committed to sustainable economic development that empowers their families, communities, and ministries. They seek start-up grants for a boat to be used for fishing and transport (most of the conferences can be accessed by river transport); fishing nets (and river fish farm training); a grain grinding mill (they have one already sponsored by CWR); local gardens; herd animal start-up funds (most herds were stolen or killed during the war); and a taxi business. In places like Bentiu and Malakal, there are recent roads and a very high need for transport but very few remaining vehicles. Again cars and trucks were destroyed during the war and during efforts to create "oil corridors.”

 $50,000

• Business start-up costs: Boat/motor

$22,000

• Fishing nets

 $500

• Herd animals

   - goat

   - cow

 

$35

$150

•  Taxi

 $18,000

 “Tailor” Micro-enterprise Start-up. Many of the women of the church and community have been widowed by the war and persecution. CWR has made minor, yet successful, inroads to sewing as personal businesses. This would be multiplied in training, and a “tailor” micro-enterprise start-up. There is a demand for mosquito nets, clothing repairs, and new clothing. These women also have an interest in starting up “tea houses.”

•  Sewing Center

 $3,000

•  Tea House Start-up

 $1,000