As our Independence Day celebrations wind down here in the U.S., it’s easy to forget that other countries are still out fighting for their freedom or struggling to maintain their freedom. The world’s youngest country, South Sudan, was established just 5 years ago after a lengthy civil war, only to be thrown into upheaval again in 2013 when armed conflict broke out. Now, 5 years later, 2.3 million South Sundanese have been forced to flee their homes. That’s one-fifth of the country displaced. One-fifth. It’s a sad turn of events, considering kids born 5 years ago were born into a time of hope and promise, yet now face a much different, and uncertain, future.
While my 5 year old daughter is getting ready for kindergarten this fall, the story is much different for kids in South Sudan, especially girls. Take Chianyal, for example. At just 5 years old she was born in a time of peace, but she knows nothing but conflict. Her family lived in a forest for a while after they were forced to leave their home, but now lives in a UN Protection Camp – facilities that provide refuge to 180,000 South Sundanese people. Chianyal, a recent Malaria survivor, enjoys skipping rope and making mud figurines. Chianyal doesn’t go to school so she can take care of her baby sister. South Sudan has the highest proportion of girls not in school than any other country in the world.
And the story is the same for so many others, including Nayhok, who’s family is without cattle, crops, and clean water. Without another option, Nayhok and her family drink dirty water, putting them at risk for disease. Because clean water is so scarce in South Sudan, kids there are 13 times more likely to die before their 5th birthday than here in the United States. Her only nutrition comes in the way of porridge and wild leaves. And perhaps the saddest part is that Nayhok’s favorite thing to do is to pretend like she’s preparing food, when in reality, there’s little or none to be had. Like Chianyal, Nayhok doesn’t go to school because her family simply doesn’t have the money to send her.
Although their futures may seem bleak in comparison to my 5 year old, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways for you to help the 680,000 malnourished kids in South Sudan, lend help to 2.8 million that are in urgent need of food assistance, and provide aid for the 5.1 million that are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
The answer? CARE.
To date, CARE has helped more than 300,000 Sudanese…but it isn’t enough. In fact, international funding is only 1/4 of what is needed to help South Sudan recover. So today, I’m partnering with CARE to ask for your help donating to the future of Chianyal, Nayhok, and all the kids in South Sudan who deserve better. Who deserve necessities like healthy food, fresh water, and access to education. Just $150 can provide full nutritional support for a malnourished child. Seventy dollars can provide crop kits to families like Nayhok’s, so they can start to build their own future. And just $41 can provide 2 weeks worth of fresh water. Even the smallest donation can go a long way.
Please join me and CARE to provide these children with the future they deserve. Make your donation here.
