18 May 2015 - UNMISS today handed over a two-classroom building to the Ikotos Primary School in Eastern Equatoria State.

The building, which also houses a teacher’s room, was constructed with a $25,000 grant from UNMISS’ Quick Impact Project.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, UNMISS State Coordinator in Eastern Equatoria Hiroko Hirahara said the community’s contribution and support to the successful implementation of the project was a demonstration of their commitment to education and peace.

“As peacekeepers, we [UNMISS] believe that education can create and sustain peace,” Ms. Hirahara said. “We are happy to be part of efforts to uphold the peace here.”

The acting State Education Minister, Margaret Ibuwa, expressed appreciation to UNMISS for supporting the community to provide a conducive learning environment for children.

She encouraged the community to work together to improve on “what UNMISS has started”.

A community leader and parent, Guido Saikologi, said the building was a dream-come-true.

“We have been looking for a donor to help us put up a structure and move the classes from under the trees,” he said. “Finally UNMISS came to give us this nice building.”

The head teacher said the new building has attracted hundreds of new pupils.

“We had about 250 pupils before, but now the number has increased to 640,” he said.