Without going into a lot of details, our contacts for Timothy School in S. Sudan have asked for prayer.

For those who may not know (or remember), friends of ENI and our wonderful World Shapers have prayed for Timothy School at various times the last three years. Their wonderful, dedicated students desire to be World Shapers, too, but it isn’t (yet!) possible to get the WSC calendar to them.

Timothy School was one of the few schools to open in S. Sudan after the violence and turmoil of the break of S. Sudan from Sudan. Violence from opposing political parties (presidential vs rebels) continues to devastate the country. Additional challenges of drought and disease contribute to the instability. Children (as in most conflicts) are suffering the most and being conscripted for military and other use.

Timothy School is in a remote location and operates without electricity or running water. Approximately 300 students are currently enrolled. A number of families have moved close to the school as, in years past, many students were unable to attend due to lack of food and the strength to walk the greater distance.

The roads to and surrounding the school have been very dangerous to travel making it challenging to get supplies delivered. It is a testament to God how the school has grown and been able to build classrooms (and other facilities) to expand these last three years.

A celebration of the start of a new term and thanksgiving for new classrooms, offices and latrines has been postponed (from April) to May 12th hoping the security situation improves and to hold the gathering before the rainy season begins.

Please join us in praying for Timothy School.

 

SC/13306
18 APRIL 2018

Security Council Sanctions Committee Briefed on Panel of Expert’s Final Report, Situation of Children Affected by Armed Conflict in South Sudan

On 11 April 2018, members of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan were briefed by the Panel of Experts on South Sudan in connection with the Panel’s final report, which was submitted in pursuance of paragraph 2 of resolution 2353 (2017).

During the deliberations, the Committee considered the Panel’s findings with respect to the political and security situation in South Sudan; violations of human rights and international humanitarian law; obstruction of humanitarian and peacekeeping missions; and arms procurement and the implementation of the sanctions measures in South Sudan.  The Committee also considered recommendations set out in the Panel’s final report.

The Committee also received a briefing by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, which provided updates on developments in South Sudan since the last briefing by the Special Representative to the members in March 2017.

It was noted, inter alia, that, while the country was facing the conflict for the fourth consecutive year, violations against children had increased considerably compared to the preceding two years.  The United Nations had verified over 1,000 incidents of all six grave violations against children, affecting close to 1,400 children.  In particular, the recruitment and use of children, by all parties to the conflict, was assessed to be endemic.  The Office concluded that children were not just used on an ad hoc basis to temporarily boost military capacities of parties to the conflict or to provide services.  Instead, the children of South Sudan were the very fuel of the war, abused in a systematic and sustained manner which enabled the war effort to continue.

SOUTH SUDAN