9 February 2015 - To improve the learning environment at a Central Equatoria State school, the UNMISS Rwandan battalion today handed over newly constructed buildings to the South Sudanese government.

During a routine patrol in May 2014, Rwandan soldiers observed pupils at Kapuri Primary School studying under trees and in make-shift classrooms with no sanitation facilities. Returning to the mission’s base, they recommended assisting the community with a new school.

The battalion began construction in September 2014, in partnership with UNICEF, members of the Rwandan community in South Sudan and local Kapuri communities.

Handing over eight classrooms, two staff offices and washrooms, Rwandan contingent Commander Mutara Nkangura said the estimated cost of constructing the school was reduced to 36 per cent of its original estimate because of voluntary participation by different stakeholders.

“The construction cost was $219,000 but because of community and stakeholders’ participation, the cost was reduced to about $79,000,” said Col. Nkangura.

Geoffrey Kayonde, chairman of the Rwandan community in South Sudan, said his government had instilled in its citizens a culture of responsibility for themselves as well as for other communities in which they might find themselves.

He added that they brought this culture to South Sudan, seeking to help meet needs of the community which, in this case, was education.

“When you educate the nation, you have dealt with almost all the causes of insecurity and reasons why people fight,” he said. “When you educate children, you give them an opportunity to open up (and) to interact with people from other cultures, such that they will appreciate that we are created differently.”

Mr. Kayonde said he hoped the spirit of Rwandan community work would remain in South Sudan, even after the contingent and its commanders had left.

Juba County Commissioner Stephen Wani said South Sudanese should emulate the voluntary work done by the Rwandan battalion. He added that it was time for South Sudan to embark on development rather than fighting.

“Let’s make South Sudan a home for everybody,” said Mr. Wani. “Let us forgive one another for us to go ahead. Let us forget our differences so that peace comes back to our country.”

Simon Kenyi James, Director of Northern Bari payam, urged the Kapuri community and parents to use the school facilities effectively and send their children to the school.

He noted that constructing the school had helped remove costs incurred by parents to transport pupils from Kapuri to schools in Juba town.

Lilian Okwirry, UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene chief, said the voluntary construction of Kapuri Primary School was an example of coming together.

She pledged UNICEF would ensure that water and sanitation in the school were maintained.

“UNICEF in its “back-to-learning” project will ensure that learning materials are available to pupils,” she added.