Wishing the Best to the People of Southern Sudan

From January 9^th through the 15^th, the people of Southern Sudan voted on a referendum to create a new country independent of Sudan.  The overwhelming majority of Southern Sudanese were expected to vote for their sovereignty, and as the world awaits the election results, We Care to Give would like to wish the best to the people impacted by this election.  It is important that peace reigns over the region that has been plagued by genocide and war for decades, and that opportunities for enrichment replace those for violence.  While much remains in doubt on the outcome of the vote, whether it passed, where the border lines of the new country would be drawn, the willingness of the north to accept the expected outcome of the election, and the settling of debt held by Sudan, it is imperative that we focus our efforts on creating an environment for the children of Southern Sudan to thrive.  Education is a clear area of deficit; school aged children are often forced to make difficult decisions regarding their education and family livelihood, and are confronted with major obstacles to completing basic schooling.  We must find a way to provide the schools, teachers, and resources that will allow for a stable country to emerge where injustice has existed.  The time is now to support organizations such as Village Help for South Sudan, a Lynn, MA based Non-Profit organization that has successfully built a school in the Wunlang village and are seeking to build in the Theou village and others.  We wish the best to all that are impacted by this election; that the people of the North and South can find a way to live together harmoniously, and that the world reaches out to support our brothers and sisters in need as they try to start anew.

We Care to Give

(Picture originally published in Chicago Tribune)