Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Delta Company of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ghana Battalion 10 (GHANBATT 10) has initiated a compassionate project codenamed “All for One”, in collaboration with notable humanitarian agencies, to provide tables, chairs, educational materials, sanitary and laundry items, dignity kits and football boots to 12 selected schools across five (5) Payams (villages) in Leer County, in South Sudan.
The inaugural event of the maiden edition of the “All for One” project, which was held on Friday June 16 2023, at the Mary Jones Primary School with over 2000 students and teachers, saw the Delta Company (Coy) teaming up with agencies such as Med Air, Hope Restoration South Sudan, UNIDOR, Nile Hope, Healthcare Foundation Organization, Samaritan Purse, And Médecins Sans Frontiers.
Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Prince Eric Tandoh – Commanding Officer of UNMISS GHANBATT 10, affirmed the project; “Making a profound impact on the lives of countless children, fostering a love for learning and empowering young minds to surmount adversity, are vital aspects of the peacekeeping process. We will continue collaborating with our partners to contribute to these goals through the All for One project in Leer County”.
The Officer Commanding (OC) – Delta Coy; the Forward Position of GHANBATT 10 deployed in Leer as part of UNMISS – Captain (Capt) Collins Nkansah, took a proactive approach towards this cause by extending an invitation to all humanitarian agencies operating in the county, uniting them under that common cause.
Capt Nkansah’s idea – which additionally awards cash prizes to the Best Male and Female Teachers at each school – aims at fostering collaboration among various humanitarian agencies, to identify and collectively address a pressing societal need in the County, on an annual basis.
In a County burdened by the aftermath of conflicts, the presence of United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies, is of utmost importance in providing essential aid and restoring hope to the affected population.
Mr Simon Riak – the County Director of Education, who was present, expressed his appreciation stating that, “The arrival of peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies, armed not with weapons but with books, has paved the way for recovery. By donating educational resources to selected schools, you have rekindled hope and underscored the notion that education serves as the bedrock for a brighter future and a peaceful society.”
He further emphasized the need for concerted efforts in addressing the shortcomings of the education system in the County.
Ms Grace Tshuma – Program Coordinator for Med Air, highlighted the importance of including life skills or technical education in the school curriculum and urged girls to steer clear of intimate/sexual relationships to avoid teenage pregnancy and other related issues.
Mr William Kuoch representing UNIDOR, emphasized the need for government representatives to advocate for the welfare of teachers and students during policy deliberations and further encouraged other humanitarian agencies to join the 2024 edition, saying, the impact of this project extends far beyond the confines of the classroom, as educated individuals contribute to the progress of their communities, thereby fostering a harmonious society.
Mr Yien Padiel Tut – Member of Parliament in Leer and the representative of the Leer Commissioner – Mr Stephen Thaker, commended UNMISS GHANBATT 10 for its assistance to the County in various forms and donated an extra 150,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) to all the awarded female teachers.
Mr Thaker remarked, “I wish to commend all agencies for your efforts in operationalizing the All for One initiative and I urge you to ensure its success in the coming years.”
The generosity exhibited by peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies conveys a message of solidarity, reassuring the students and teachers that they are not forgotten and brighter days lie ahead.
By UNMISS-GHANBATT 10 PI CELL
