WESTERN BAHR EL GHAZAL – There’s jubilation at St. Michael’s Catholic Kindergarten and Primary School in Wau.

The reason: 716 students received 1000 textbooks and sports items such as footballs, volleyballs, nets, goal posts, jerseys and so forth.

So, who played Santa Claus for these deserving kids?

None other than Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

“Our school had a very limited number of books, which meant that we had to copy everything from a blackboard. Learning was a time-consuming process,” revealed Arikangelo Given, a student at the school.

“Today, me and my school mates have received this helpful and totally unexpected surprise. It is like Christmas came early,” he added with an overjoyed smile.

Veronica Rizik, another student, agrees.

“We used to share one textbook between 10 students and now we each have one,” she exclaimed in wonder.

For Lieutenant Colonel Sinthia Sharmin, Chief CIMIC (Civil-Military Cooperation) Officer from Bangladesh, this is a way to demonstrate the UN Peacekeeping mission’s support to building a durable peace and a prosperous future for all South Sudanese.

“Children are future leaders, and this handover comes from our hearts. We hope this will be the encouragement these students need to pursue their education and take the lead in shaping a bright tomorrow,” she stated.  

The handover was accepted by technical school supervisor for the diocese of Wau, Dominic Uchalla, who expressed gratitude.

“When our children see UNMISS peacekeepers, they feel inspired. And today, we have witnessed their care and support for these students firsthand. I assure everybody that we shall put these textbooks and sports items to good use,” he averred.

The textbooks delivered to St. Michael’s Catholic Kindergarten and Primary School have been printed in Bangladesh and cover science, social studies, mathematics, and other important subjects.