It’s going to be one epic party tomorrow as the people of South Sudan bask in their new-found, long-awaited freedom.
Some eight million will be celebrating in South Sudan itself, with thousands more spread across the world — refugees who fled their homes during the two-decades-long war leading up to the south’s independence.
The stains left by the war mean Africa’s 55th country also will be one of the poorest in the world, lacking clean water, basic education, justice for women and girls, and knowledge of how to avoid HIV/AIDS (learn more).
But with 72 percent of the population under age 30, and with fertile soil and an abundance of natural resources (like crude oil, iron ore, copper and gold), South Sudan’s potential is a great cause for hope.
FH has a unique privilege to help South Sudanese rebuild their country and move toward health and prosperity. Having worked there since 2001, FH now serves an estimated 202,711 South Sudanese, by the support from the U.S. government and individual donors.
It no doubt will take many years and many millions of aid dollars before Sudan will be back on its feet.
The world watches South Sudan with great hope and a bit of anxiety for this region which has seen so much oppression and pain in recent years.
We “rejoice with those who rejoice” and pray for God’s peace and favor over the world’s newest country!
