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A New Chapter

Education Cannot Wait-funded AVSI programme offers young mothers the resources and support to continue their education in South Sudan

By Education Cannot Wait

March 15^th, 2024

Adapted Story from the Field. Special Contribution by AVSI. (Original)

For Living Sunday, the beginning of her pregnancy meant the end of her education.

When the young woman from South Sudan discovered she was pregnant with her now two-year-old son, she had no choice but to drop out of school in order to support herself. With no assistance from her family or the father of her son, she was forced to prioritize work and childcare over her education.

Despite all of the roadblocks she has faced, Living Sunday is now back in school and learning again. Thanks to Education Cannot Wait (ECW) investments in South Sudan, and the intervention of partner AVSI, with a commitment to enhance equal access to school and quality education in the country, young women and girls like Living Sunday are finding their way back to the classroom and forging a brighter future for themselves – and, in turn, for their families and communities.

“I’ve now got the opportunity to change my life.” ~Living Sunday, 22

Living Sunday, 22, returns home after retrieving a can of water from the nearest borehole. © AVSI/Davide Arcuri

The Road to School

“It hasn't been easy, school isn't for girls who get married early and become mothers.” ~Living Sunday

Living Sunday’s life was turned upside-down when she discovered she was pregnant. At the time, her son’s father was not accepting of her, and her own father did not allow her to return home. Without the support she needed, she was forced to drop out of school.

Despite the challenge of supporting herself and her son, Living Sunday yearned to resume her education.

It was at this time that she noticed ECW-supported awareness campaigns in her community, implemented by partners AVSI and the Support for Peace Education and Development Program. The campaigns stressed the importance of education for all – including girls. Living Sunday also learned that ECW and partners were providing support in the community through school fee payments, as well as distributing essential learning materials.

Through dialogues with Living Sunday’s mother, with whom Living Sunday was staying, partners stressed the importance of continuing her education. Living Sunday’s mother decided to support her daughter’s education, acting as caregiver to her grandson while she attended school.

With these roadblocks to her learning removed – and increased support from her family – Living Sunday was able to enroll at an ECW-supported school and resume her education.

Distribution of dignity and hygienic kits to girls enrolled at Secondary School in Obbo (Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan). © AVSI/Davide Arcuri

Today, a typical school day begins with the 22-year-old awakening at four in the morning. Living Sunday then makes sure her son is set for the day ahead. Finally, she puts on her school uniform. Wearing it, she says with a big smile, makes her feel “very smart and beautiful.”

All ready for the day ahead, and with her black backpack in tow, Living Sunday sets off on the five kilometer walk to her beloved school.

While the mornings are early and the journey is long, Living Sunday finds it well worth it to learn in the new school building — filled with books, pens and endless opportunities, and illuminated by new solar panels that provide light 24 hours a day. Additionally, thanks to the supply of hygiene and dignity kits at her new school, Living Sunday is able to attend class without interruption while she is on her period.

Menstruation is considered a taboo topic in many parts of South Sudan, resulting in stigma and deprivation for girls during their periods. Many girls lack access to basic and necessary hygiene items such as sanitary pads, leading many to skip school when they are on their period. In South Sudan, ECW has provided nearly 17,000 girls like Living Sunday with menstrual hygiene management kits.

“When I got my period, I couldn't go to school, but now pads and soap are supplied to us.”

Living Sunday immerses herself in her studies at the ECW-funded school. © AVSI/Davide Arcuri

With a greater understanding of the gender norms that have affected her throughout her life, Living Sunday has developed a deep respect and appreciation for education. Now, she is able to understand the barriers to self-development in her past and work to dismantle them in the future.

“It gave me a good lesson that I will not forget in my life. If you've never been educated, they don't value you, they don't value people equally. I learned the disadvantages of getting involved in early marriages."

At the end of each day, Living Sunday heads home to her son. Along the way, she allows her mind to wander to the possibilities before her. Her most persistent dream is to continue her education at a university, which would alter the course of her life.

“I’m graduating soon, and my dream is to continue my studies and attend college.’’

Impact of Investments in South Sudan

In the face of widespread violence, poverty and climate change-induced disasters, education access has been disrupted for over 2.8 million children, the majority girls, growing up in the world’s youngest country.

Providing access to education for all girls and young women is a powerful tool to support the growth and development of both the individual and the next generation. Educated mothers are more likely to send their children to school, 50% more likely to have children that survive infancy, and are at lower risk of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy, according to UNICEF South Sudan.

Signs from the Magwi Awareness Campaign at Leopoldo Secondary School aim at challenging discriminatory gender and social norms. © AVSI/Davide Arcuri

With a key focus on girls’ education, ECW has worked with partners such as AVSI in South Sudan to provide crisis-affected children and adolescents with safe, quality education since 2020. To bridge gender gaps in education and foster inclusive, equitable learning environments for girls, AVSI trains local communities on gender in education, tailors support for young mothers, distributes dignity kits and trains teachers on school-related gender-based violence.

To date, US$70 million has been invested through ECW’s Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) to support those left furthest behind in South Sudan. The most substantial portion of this investment, US$40 million, was announced in 2023. With this continued commitment, ECW aims to reach 135,000 children, in addition to the more than 140,000 girls and boys reached thus.

This progress is made possible by the work of implementing partners AVSI, Save the Children, Norwegian Refugee Council, Finn Church Aid and UNICEF, in close conjunction with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction and other partners.

Students at the ECW-funded school begin their journeys home after a full day of learning. © AVSI/Davide Arcuri

To reach even more crisis-affected children and youth in South Sudan – each of whom deserves to go to school and reach their full potential – ECW calls on donors, the private sector, philanthropic foundations and national and international partners to step-up funding.

ECW’s FivexFive appeal calls on five in-country donors to contribute US$5 million each in order to achieve the first fully-funded MYRP in South Sudan. By investing in the education of those left furthest behind, we invest in a brighter future for us all.

"Education is so important to me. I give much appreciation to Education Cannot Wait. They have managed to bring those from the outside, those who had almost lost hope in education, and now they are gaining so much. This is what was brought into our lives as young mothers, this is my appreciation to them and my thanks. Education Cannot Wait.” ~Living Sunday

Students at the ECW-funded school smile outside their classroom. © AVSI

Access high-resolution photos from this story and our full media library on ECW’s FLICKR.

© 2026 Education Cannot Wait

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