Across: Transforming lives and communities

Learn more of how the programmes are achieving the vision and mission of Across on the Human Interest Stories section categorized by Across Programme Sectors below.

Free At Last!

Wednesday, 27 July 2011 06:24

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN - 9th July 2011

^{The world is seeing its newest country: the Republic of South Sudan. On Saturday the 9th of July, the South Sudanese flag was hoisted amidst tens of thousands people gathered at the Garang Mausoleum, among them 40 Heads of State and about 3,000 special invitees. It was a very special and historic moment, reached after 50-plus years of war and bloodshed , in which 2.5 million lives were lost.
The Independence Day was celebrated from the strike of midnight hour with cheering groups beating the drums, singing the national anthem while moving around town. A free atmosphere and new sense of unity filled the streets on the sun-covered morning of the 9th: masses of people walking peacefully to the celebration grounds, South Sudanese flags distributed to everybody, shaking hands with soldiers in uniform. Ahead of the official start of the program, regular ‘South Sudan Oyee!.... Oyeeee!’ chants by thousands filled the air.
The Official program started off with prayers for the new nation, and soon after an impressive parade, with military units followed by a range of organisations and ethnic groups – all displaying the enormous variety and cultural richness of South Sudan. A bronze stature of the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior was unveiled, only meters from where his body rests in the Garang Mausoleum.
Then the emotional high of the ceremony: the Sudanese flag is lowered, and the South Sudanese flag slowly climbs up in the air, while the crowd’s celebrations come to a climax. Many eyes are fixed straight on the national flag, reflecting traces of unbelief and the pain it has cost to experience this moment. The Republic of South Sudan has gotten a place among the nations of the earth.
After signing the new constitution, congratulations messages and speeches from various international delegates are welcomed warmly. The American representative, Mrs. Susan Rice, captures the moment: ‘Independence is not something the South Sudanese are given, it is a price you have won!’
The last word is from the first president of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit. In a humble way, he gives words to the feelings of his people – free at last! He urges for peace and unity in his country, and declares a public amnesty to all those who have taken up arms in one way or another. He also stresses that peace means hard work and needs responsible citizens. And as committed Christian, he ends with asking for God’s blessing on South Sudan. [Full Independence speech of 1st President of RoSS]
As the white smoke from the 21 salutes shots disappears from the Garang Mausoleum, the victory achieved is evident. South Sudanese have proved once again that they are focused as witnessed in the first ever Elections in April 2010 and the well organised and peaceful Referendum held in January 2011. South Sudan has confidently set its first step as a sovereign nation in the right direction of building a nation that was worth dying for.
God bless South Sudan!}

Children with Disabilities Receive Wheelchairs

Tuesday, 03 May 2011 13:50

Robert Lomiri

robert_wheelchair Robert Lomiri, is nine years old, the 3rd born in a family of five, he is raised by a single mother as his father passed away some years ago. He is physically challenged and the cause of disability is unknown. His case was noticed before he celebrated his first birthday. He was taken to a hospital in Kampala but nothing materialised. He is one of beneficiary of a wheel chair donated through Across Inclusive Education programme.

Before receiving the wheelchair, Robert used to spend his time at home playing with smaller children who were not yet enrolled in school when other children of his age had gone to school. Though he likes attending church services, he could not attend because it was difficult for the family members to carry him to church on their backs and so he would remain at home when others went to fellowship.

The wheelchair has brought a complete change to the life of this young boy. Robert is so excited about going to school and will be registered in the nearby Methodist primary school. The wheel chair also enables the family to take the boy for prayers on Sundays. The boy is excited about the new wheel chair and was heard shouting "Arabia ja" which is the Arabic statement for "The vehicle has come!"

Robert was taken to Juba Usratuna through the Across IE programme to determine if he could be operated on to correct the anomaly. Doctors were only able to correct his sitting position, and he is still unable to walk, so the wheelchair will continue to be important as Robert grows up.

Ameer Deng

Aged 8 years old, Ameer Deng does not go to school because she is physically disabled. She is the 2nd born out of 3 children and her parents are alive and economically stable. Her disability was noticed when she attained one year. She was taken to hospital in Kampala, Uganda, in the initial stage but without much results. At the end of year 2010, she was also taken to Khartoum where she spend more than three months for medical attention but they came back without any noticed improvement.

The mother expressed a lot of fear in enrolling the child in the mainstream school citing that the child may get injured by the able bodied children since she is unable to run away. She was assured that the other children will be educated on disability and care and support would be given by the school authorities. She was also made to understand that even the able bodied children sometimes do get injured. The parent made assurance that the child would be registered in school.

The family was very happy and thankful to the programme after receiving the wheelchair. The family was certain that this will go a long way in making the girl mobile.

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