A while back, I helped sponsor my friend Mator on a trip back to his hometown with a lady I knew. She said that the children were still sitting on the ground under a tree. There were three hits that had been used as a classroom but we are not sure.

A few months ago, Mator, Geri and I started a non-profit organization to see what we can do to help the children at Wutkoro Elementary School. It is located in the village of Pinychuier near Wangulei of Twic County. He has more than 100 children.

Our hope is that the residents of the town will build the structure if we can provide the funds. The structure needs to survive the rainy season. The teachers there need to know that we care and that they can make a difference for the youth.

In the United States, we have been blessed with the buildings, supplies, and funds necessary to function. Our children may not understand the blessings of going to school and having school supplies. Not everyone has the same obstacles that children in other countries have.

As a first-year teacher at the age of 55, I think maybe God’s timing is for me to learn all I can about what it takes to run a successful school. As I learn, I can be a resource for the teachers at Wutkoro Elementary School and help them find resources. I have been an aide, a substitute teacher, a summer after school teacher, and now a first grade teacher. Who knows, maybe my journey is just beginning. First, we have to start with fundraising.

I met my friend Mator as one of the “lost boys” from Sudan in 2001. My son married a girl from Sudan. If they have a child, I will always have a link to South Sudan.

Although here we jump to social networks instantly, not all regions of the world have access to them. There are still rural towns without electricity, running water or transportation. Once we raise the funds, Mator will still need to travel there again to oversee the project. Transporting supplies for the project will be the biggest challenge. Going through all the appropriate channels will be essential. You will also need a lot of prayer.

I have watched this young man grow over the past 20 years in his education, start a family, and evolve in his career. I think we can see this project become a reality, but we need a lot of help. For more information about the project, check out the resource box below. If you are a person of prayer, pray for us.