Unions of Superiors General
South Sudan, the newest country in the world, is working towards creating sustainable structures which will address the needs of health, education and food security. The project Solidarity with South Sudan was initiated by the two Unions of Superiors General (USG & UISG) after the peace accords of 2005.
At present there are 33 brothers, sisters and priests from 26 congregations who have volunteered for service with contracts of three or more years. They are supported by an international consortium of more than 200 congregations and attract funding from a large variety if funding agencies. The project is established on five sites providing training and accompaniment in the areas of education, health and agriculture. It is a new way of collaboration for congregations and for the church (www.solidarityssudan.org)
Our brother Christian Mbam from Nigeria has been in the country since February 2013. In the early part of the year he was joined by two Marist teachers from Australia who volunteered for two months to offer intensive training to local teachers who are already in the field.
Br Christian is the Dean of Students at the Solidarity Teacher Training Centre located in Malakal in the north of the country. He lives in a community of seven – five sisters and two brothers – all from different congregations. The ministry of the centre is teacher training both at the pre-service and in-service level.
The classroom and living facilities have been purpose built by the project and are of very good quality.
We are challenged to consider joining the pioneers in this project. Br Christian would be especially keen to encourage involvement from Marists in Africa in the spirit of Br Emili's letter to all Champagnat Marist, To the Ends of the Earth.