The United Nations Mission in South Sudan handed over a four-classroom block constructed at Sunrise Nursery and Primary School to the community of Naagori in Yambio County. The facility, worth fifty thousand US dollars, is a QIP, funded by the UNMISS, and implemented by the mission’s Relief, Reintegration and Protection section. Sunrise Nursery and Primary School started in 2012 under trees and open shelters and has approximately one hundred pupils.

Government officials, community members and schoolchildren attended the colorful handover ceremony. Speaking on behalf of the community of Naagori, Father Clement Funo commended UNMISS for erecting the new school facility in their area. Funo said, “The community of Naagori is extremely happy and extends appreciation to the governor Major General Raphael Zamoi for his great support of the State for allowing NGOs especially UNMISS for this project”. This school is fully operational since 2012 serving the need of the highly populated area in the County, Funo added.

Honorable Juma Martin who represents the community in the State Assembly also thanked UNMISS for its support. He said, “Appreciation goes to UNMISS for choosing a project that aims at building the bright future of the young generation”. Martin urged the community to make proper use of the facility.

Meanwhile the Minister of Education in Yambio Pia Phillip, who presided over the ceremony, joined the community in commending the United Nations Mission in South Sudan for the project. Pia said, “We are very grateful to UNMISS for this gesture. We also know the community of Naagori does not know what the UN mandate is all about until it is broken down into this type of activity”. This quick impact project looks small but it gives the meaning to the community, the local people who see UN around and they do not know what UN is doing, Pia added.

The Head of UNMISS field office in Western Equatoria Koliab Nahataba attributed the quick impact project to a timely intervention by the mission to address pressing needs of the community. He however expressed the readiness of the mission to work hand in hand with the government and Western Equatoria government in particular in order to achieve sustainable peace and development. Koliab urged the people to deter war and strive peace.

The four-classroom facility handed over to the community school of Naagori is one of the eleven quick impact projects completed by UNMISS in Western Equatoria since 2012. Other projects completed are Police post in Mundri East, Community Resource Center in Mvolo, Sanitation facility and a bridge in Maridi, three-classroom block and solar power system for water in Ezo, two classroom block and a kitchen in Tambura