STOP PRESS -- WANTED -- YOUTH LEADERS TO VISIT SUDAN
Each year the diocese encourages one or two youth leaders to attend a regional workshop set up by the ECS Provincial Youth Coordinator in different parts of Sudan. The organisation and workshops are led by SOMA. The next workshop is in October 2010.
If you are interested in taking part or just want to discuss the possibility please contact John Foster who is on the Salisbury-Sudan Link Committee (Tel. 01722 710426).
Where Does the Money We Spend Come From?
- Parochial giving (from churches and organisations in the diocese)
- Private donations
- Services where a bishop presides (such as confirmations)
What Do We Support?
We are charged with supporting the following:-
- Theological education—this means in the 5 Provincial theological colleges, and the theological education by extension programme (TEE).
- Education in ECS schools.
- Youth work.
Learn About the Five ECS Provincial Theological Colleges - Click on the links below
How do We Provide Appropriate Support?
Theological education – our focus is on supporting the 5 Provincial Theological Colleges to either gain, or maintain, accreditation to the diploma course from St. Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya. Only one college currently has that status (Bishop Allison College) and another is applying for it (Bishop Gwynne College in Juba). It is essential that the growing church in Sudan has well qualified priests who are also leaders within their own communities.
Education in ECS schools – There is a huge demand for more schools to meet the needs of both Basic (Primary) and secondary age children. As a Link we cannot fund the building of schools, or the salaries of staff. What we can do is to support teacher training in order to ensure that those who do receive schooling are being taught by qualified teachers.
We also actively encourage, and support, links between our own diocesan schools and ECS schools.
Youth work – we focus on two specific projects to support youth work within Sudan. One is to send money to enable a regional youth leaders conference to take place annually in Sudan. We also try to encourage one or two of our diocesan youth workers to attend these conferences.
The other is to bring two Sudanese youth leaders to the Salisbury diocese for a period of six months every two years.
Some Examples of What We Are Supporting Now
- A two years teacher training course in Yei---£6000 for each of the two years
- The affiliation visit of staff from St. Paul’s, Limuru to New Bishop Gwynne College (Juba).
- The last bursary for a student studying outside the country.
- A contribution to Bishop Allison College towards completing the final semester of the current diploma course --£3000.
- Contributions to the two youth leader projects---£3,500 per year.
- The appointment of a secretary to the theological commission. We have agreed to pay towards a salary for one year and some office running costs in order to get this post up and running.
- Links between schools within out diocese and ECS schools. We can provide advice, support and visits to encourage our schools to become involved in Sudan.
How do We Prioritise Where our Support Should be Directed?
We do not decide unilaterally what the priorities should be. The Sudan Link is above all a partnership. We work with the two ECS commissions (theological and education) in deciding what we, together, feel are the most relevant areas to support. We are not the only partners working with the ECS so it is essential that we decide together where we can be most effective with the resources at our disposal.
