Academy for Educational Development
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Sudanese Diaspora Returns Home to Aid Rebuilding Efforts
Just over a year ago, a peace agreement was signed between the North and the South that put an end to the war. Scattered throughout North America, Europe, and Africa, the Southern Sudanese Diaspora—the term used to describe a community of people who have fled their homeland and now live elsewhere—is joining with AED to improve the health and education sectors of its homeland. The Diaspora Skills Transfer Program for Southern Sudan, a USAID-funded project being implemented by the AED Center for International Training, will support up to 150 Sudanese volunteers over the next year to work in schools and hospitals as well as in state and local government health and education agencies. This work will be done in all 10 states and two transitional zones in Southern Sudan. Diaspora communities from many nations play a large role in their countries’ development. However, in most cases this takes the form of remittances, or money sent to friends and family. This project uses the skills and education gained by the Southern Sudanese Diaspora during its time abroad. “This win-win opportunity provides Southern Sudan with skilled human resources at a crucial time in its development,” said Carolyn Garber, project director. “For years the health and education systems in this region deteriorated as a result of the war. Now, with a signed peace agreement, the people want to start rebuilding.” Unlike most other development workexchange programs, these volunteers have the added benefit of sharing a language and culture with their host communities. Many Southern Sudanese are eager to return home, but employment and educational opportunities and financial and familial commitments keep them abroad. In addition, even though the South is rebuilding quickly, the infrastructure cannot yet handle full-scale repatriation. In January and February 2006, a “visitation assessment team” composed of leaders of the Southern Sudanese Diaspora community traveled throughout Southern Sudan to assess the health and education needs in the region and to help build a positive image for the program. Their feedback will help AED to establish this program throughout Southern Sudan and will help prepare the volunteers for their return. For more information please contact Carolyn Garber at cgarber@aed.org.
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Hope is returning to Southern Sudan, and so are some of the people who left their homeland to flee a civil war that raged there for more than two decades.
