Edith Jackson Trust

Supporters’ News

Issue 4: January 2010

Good News and Slow News at Christmas
You may have been wondering what has been happening, especially as we were anticipating and about to celebrate the opening of the school in April 2009. First, some slow news. The bank through which we had been sending money to Sudan found itself in considerable difficulties in 2009. Thankfully, the Diocese had already used the money sent out so there was no loss, but this caused a delay whilst we sorted out a new transfer route. This is complex because of the political difficulties but has now been activated successfully.

Second piece of slow news: the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) changed the regulations for registering a new school. For this to happen the school now has to have store and staff rooms, latrines, kitchens… None of this is unreasonable – we would not even consider a school without them! - but it brought a halt to the hopes for an early opening. So, the Trust has just finalised plans and sent out a substantial payment to cover the cost of beginning these extra buildings. At current figures, the Trust is some £7,000 short of the total needed for these buildings. Therefore, we have a clear target for fund-raising in the next few months. Please God, these buildings will be built and we are praying towards an opening of the school this coming April.

Classrooms painted and ready for use in April 2010

Some good news: as you will see from photos elsewhere in this newsletter, the school classrooms have been painted and furniture has been built and they look great. The furniture was built by a vocational Training school in Yei in the very south of Sudan. 

Thank you for your patience with us. The combination of the work of the Trust being carried out by people with busy jobs coupled with the substantial difficulties of making things happen on the ground in Sudan, does mean progress has been slower than anticipated.

As I am writing this I find myself thinking about the school’s name – St Joseph’s. If I had the time, I would love to work with wood. Each piece is unique and you have to work with it as a living being, patiently, if it is to become beautiful and useful furniture. This is what we are about; slow and patient work to produce good and lasting fruit.  So please keep giving and praying. And if you keep an ear open to the news, you will know that there is much anxiety in and for Sudan about the future of the peace accord. The need for this school and for the regeneration of Southern Sudan is as great as it was when we started this project. We must not give up. Joseph’s patience is our example.

Rev’d Dr Alan Bartlett
Chair of Trustees

ECS Delivers Crucial Educational Services

EJT’s partner in southern Sudan, the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS), are playing an increasingly important role in the provision of education.  The ECS are recognized as a superior resource delivering crucial basic educational services.  For example, ECS is running a teacher training program to provide education for 500 teachers. It is led by experienced Southern Sudanese teachers and includes training for headmasters, a resource centre, and books and materials for teachers to take back to their schools. To date, 20% more teachers have been trained than planned. 
For more information about ECS’ educational activities visit: http://www.ecspartners.org/education.html

Rokon School gets Equipped

A range of classroom equipment including school desks, bookshelves and teachers’ desks will shortly be on their way to the new primary school in Rokon.  The desks were made in the carpentry workshop of the Yei Vocational Training College where John Spens (St John’s 1970-1972) was working as College Coordinator in 2006 to 2008.  The College was established by the Diocese of Yei in partnership with the CMS Ireland in 2004 and runs courses for young people from Yei Diocese and beyond.  100 students each year learn skills such as carpentry, building, electrical, plumbing and mechanics/car driving.
“Apart from training the students,” says John, “we also run a furniture making business, primarily supplying school furniture for schools.  We provide employment for former students and the income generated helps to keep the fees as low as possible.  We make a range of furniture including office desks and office chairs, school desks, bookshelves, beds, tables and even church pews.  Most of this furniture is made from locally grown mahogany or teak.”

School furniture ready for use in Rokon School

Sudan Council of Churches Issue CPA Appeal

A joint statement by Sudanese Churches on the state of Sudan was released in October.  The statement highlighted growing concerns over the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the south and the north in July 2005.
Furthermore, the statement goes on to highlight the very worrying increase in fighting across southern Sudan.  Since August of 2009 there have been a growing number attacks on civilians; often southern Sudanese fighting southern Sudanese.  The churches believe that the upsurge in violence is being deliberately orchestrated. There is deep concern that the escalation of this de-stabilising violence, specifically targeting civilians and the government, will make registration and voting in the 2011 elections and referendum very difficult.  For more details see: http://www.sudan.anglican.org/jongleiappeal.php

Latest news ……..  9th January 2010 marked the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.  The Sudanese Archbishop Daniel Deng was interviewed on Radio 4’s Today Programme alongside Glenys Kinnock, minister of state for Africa.  To listen to the interview visit:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8449000/8449740.stm (The interview can be found at 07.52)

St John’s Fund Raising Committee

St John’s College Durham has a fund raising committee for the Edith Jackson Trust.  The committee meets in term time and is made up of students from St John’s College, Cranmer Hall and the Wesley Study centre.  Its purpose is twofold, to ensure the links between St John’s College and the Trust are continued, and to raise funds.  In the last year the committee raised over £3,000 through various fund raising activities including a concert in the Cathedral and weekly cake sales in college.
During the current academic year it is hoped that a similar amount can be raised. The current chair is Christine Butler (an Anglican Ordinand at Cranmer Hall).  If anyone has any fundraising ideas they would like to suggest or carry out on behalf of the Trust she would be delighted to hear from you: please E-mail her at c.j.butler@durham.ac.uk.

Please Help

Thank you for all your support to date. Please consider how you can continue to support this important work, for example by:

1. Making a donation and/or commit to regular giving. 
2. Raising the profile of EJT in the areas you live and work.  For example, could you ask your Church Council or local school to support us?
3. Organising your own charity events to support the work of the Trust.

For more details on how to give please visit our web site at www.edithjacksontrust.org.uk
If you would like to know more about the activities of the Trust or have a specific question please don’t hesitate to contact us at: enquiries@edithjacksontrust.org.uk

The Edith Jackson (advancement of education in Sudan) Trust is a UK

Registered Charity number 1114804

Patrons
The Most Revd. & Rt. Hon. Dr. John Sentamu - Archbishop of York
St John’s College Durham