Good Friends School
It all started with desperation and prayer…
Who attends the school?
Fleeing from racial discrimination and persecution is all that many of the Nuba people know. Since the beginning of the Sudanese civil war in 1983, the people from the Nuba mountains in Northern Sudan have been fighting for their freedom and security in their home country. Living in small wooden huts in the mountains and trying to peacefully farm the land, the government, over the last 36 years, has subjected these people to sickness, starvation and war.
The reality of their situation now is attempted ethnic cleansing.
Planes being flown 24/7 dropping bombs and missiles, soldiers burning down villages and communities, the raping and murder of women and children. The constant fear of death with seemingly no hope.
These are the children who attend the school. Children who have lost parents, siblings and friends.
Families torn and separated as fathers stay behind to fight and earn money for the family. Families having to travel days on foot and by bus into Egypt. Yet, devastatingly, their situation in Egypt is not much better.
Life in Egypt
Although they do not face the prospect of war in Egypt,
racial discrimination is still a sad reality.
Walking down dirt roads filled with garbage and stray animals, climbing up multiple flights of steep and deteriorating steps into a stuffy apartment you can barely call a home. A foam mattress on the floor, one twin bed, no toys, no chairs, no clean water or electricity, minimal food and only the clothes on their backs. This is the typical lifestyle for many large families. Often the only jobs available are to be cleaners in Egyptian homes, paying a minimal salary. Medical support is limited and can be expensive. Children aren’t allowed into public Egyptian schools meaning their only option is to pay for private schooling which they cannot afford. This leaves the children uneducated and bored. They roam the streets getting in trouble as their parents work extremely long hours to keep the family alive.
‘What do you do for fun?’ Asked Grace, a member of our team. The lady shrugged and looked down. Later we realised that the ladies didn’t feel safe leaving their apartment because male family members were still in Sudan. The women sit in the apartment with the children, waiting and praying that they can see their husbands again soon.
The Need for Hope
Yet, miraculously, God has provided a way to love and support these families, whilst sharing the hope of Jesus. Three years ago, a centre was set up to provide schooling and education for 40 students. Last September, the centre became the Good Friends School, allowing 53 children to attend school 5 days a week.
Sudanese teachers have been employed,
empowering these men to provide for their families, and teach the children of their community. These teachers understand the culture and situation that these children have fled from. They speak their dialect and language. They understand how best to teach these children. It is beautiful to watch how much the teachers care for and prioritise the students, only taking one week of holiday a year. The school meets in a rented apartment which has been decorated to encourage learning and development. School supplies, desks, chairs, running water, a photocopier and air conditioning is all available, encouraging a productive learning environment. A filling meal is provided for the children and teachers every day, along with drinking water and other soft drinks.
This may be the only meal some of these children receive during the day.
This past year, the school has had 3 classes of grades 1-4. The children learn science, Sudanese history, geography, math, English, Arabic, fine arts, life skills and also attend a Bible class. Although the school and many of the teachers are Christian, many Muslim families still send their children to the school as they recognise the care and quality of teaching that the children receive.
This is an incredible opportunity to teach all the children about the love and grace of Jesus Christ which has been offered to them.
‘So, what does everyone want to become when they’re older?’ Asks Alice, a short-termer. ‘Doctor!’ ‘Nurse!’ Some of the girls shout. ‘Why do you want to do that?’ ‘I want to help people back in my country. I want to care for people.’
The school is not only a place of education for the children of this community. 3 evenings a week,
the mothers of the children are invited to attend English and Arabic literacy classes.
Many families hope to go to America or Europe in the future, thus learning how to speak English, as well as to read and write, is of great value to them.
This school is empowering the men as they teach, the children as they learn, and the women as they hope and pray for a better future.
The Future of the School
God has blessed this school in a multitude of ways and is continuing to grow class sizes. This coming September (2019) the school is expecting
120 students across 6 classes.
This is double what we have had this past year. It is exciting but is also a challenge. With double the classes, there will be more mouths to feed and the teachers will be working longer hours. Three classes will meet in the morning and three classes will meet in the afternoon. We are so, so excited to see what the Lord is going to do this coming year, and how He is going to work in the lives of these children.
We walk in faith that He will provide our needs.
So, in what ways can YOU help?
The Lord has worked in many incredible ways in this school, through constant prayer, faithful workers and generous givers.
about 20 out of last year’s 53 students were sponsored.
This sponsorship money helped in many ways: providing a salary for teachers, renting the school rooms, paying water and electricity bills, buying school supplies, maintaining the rooms, and providing all the students and teachers with a meal every day. This coming year, with student numbers doubling,
we ask that you prayerfully consider financially supporting the work of the Good Friends School.
In this way, you will make it possible for children and families to develop the skills and prospects for a successful and safe future. Not only this, but through your generous giving, more children are able to attend a school in which the Bible is faithfully taught.