From trees to desks: A newly constructed school in Yambio provides education to over 500 children

8 Aug 2018

From trees to desks: A newly constructed school in Yambio provides education to over 500 children

Felix Francis Katie & Leni Kinzli

Over 500 children in Yambio in Western Equatoria now have access to learning facilities following the opening of a new four-classroom building of the United Nursery and Primary School.

“I feel happy because they made a good school for us to learn. We thank all of the partners,” said Lucy Samuel, a pupil from class Primary 4, elated about the new learning opportunities ahead of her.  

The United Nursery and Primary School started a year ago with some 180 students learning under trees, without access to proper classrooms. The school has made tremendous progress over the year, with the number of eager pupils skyrocketing to over 500.  

“The enrolment was very low because we were operating under trees. Parents are feeling excited about this development because this is something very big for the community,” Seba Murangi, Headmistress of the school, commented.  

The new school, built as a Quick Impact Project by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, is the first of its kind in the Ikpiro area of Yambio. School officials expect the number of students to increase as a result, giving more children access to education.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has implemented sixteen Quick Impact Projects in Western Equatoria since 2012 including construction of school facilities, police posts, water points and other structures such as bridges and sanitation facilities.