The young and innocent minds of the children of South Sudan are looking to reading and writing as their hope for the future. 

As the World commemorates International Literacy Day on 08^th September, we are reminded of the distressing statistic that only 27% of adults in South Sudan can read or write, that’s according to figures based on a 2008 survey undertaken by the United Nations. 

Faced with one of the lowest indicators in the world and amidst the conflict and suffering, the future generation of South Sudan is faced with daunting probabilities. 

A visit to Light House International School in Juba was a comforting reassurance that there is still hope for the next generation.

For a country in crisis, the smiling faces of children playing and enjoying break time in the school compound told a different story – one of determination to fight illiteracy and shape a future for themselves.

Joseph Garang is a primary eight pupil, with dreams of becoming a doctor.  In resonance with the theme of the day, “Reading our Past, Writing our Future,” Joseph said he loves to read about the history of South Sudan so he can learn from past leaders and “treat his people who have suffered after many years of war.”

UN Children’s agency (UNICEF) estimates there are more than one million primary school aged children, mostly from rural areas, out of school. 

With the 70% of children aged 6-7 years not attending structured lessons, David Saya, a primary eight pupil of Light House International counts himself lucky to be able to get a basic education. 

Saya says he feels “pity” for the children he sees loitering the streets as he makes his way to school every morning. 

“We are the future leaders of tomorrow; we must know how to spell so we can help those street children…they too are the country’s future,” he lamented.”

Holly Emmanuel, in primary eight has a more personal ambition of being able to write so she can find a well-paying job.  “I need to know how to write a proper job application with a good handwriting,” she elaborated, adding that “these days you can only get a job if you can read and write well.”

Despite increases in school enrolment over the past few years, school infrastructure in South Sudan remains wanting and low rates of primary school completion, high gender, geographic and wealth gaps pose huge challenges to the development of the education system.

For Sunday Majok, reading helps her ‘escape into another world,’ and makes her feel like she is the author of the book - telling her own story. 

The class eight pupil says, “when I read a story book I become happy, and wish I were the writer,” she talks about the reawakening and “happiness” she felt when she read ‘Peanut Butter or Jelly’, a fiction book based on a nursery rhyme with a moral of how to get along despite our differences, as if stuck together – like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Her message to other children this International Literacy Day, was to “share knowledge” for the good of the country. 

The government of South Sudan is working with partners to develop strategies that will promote literacy in the country.  Programs with partners such as UNESCO and UNICEF focus on increasing enrolments, improving infrastructure and building capacity of teachers. 

David Sekwkat, the Head teacher of Light House International underscores the importance of literacy and education for the future generation, saying “we must encourage the children to read,” adding that “seeing them successful is our motivation and pride.”

Sekwkat raised a significant purpose of literacy, which is to prevent early marriages which have “hindered education in society,” he pointed out - a valid observation, with only 33% of girls in schools.

He called on the international community to support education initiatives in areas of capacity building of teachers and improving infrastructure.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day and UNESCO is celebrating it under the banner “Reading the Past, Writing the Future.”

A situation report by UNICEF indicates about 900,000 children have been internally displaced since the conflict broke out in December 2013. Over half the country's children are out of school -- the highest proportion of out-of-school children in the world.