3 March 2014 - The UNMISS Nepalese battalion handed over two pit latrine buildings and four renovated dormitories to the town’s secondary school during a ceremony today in the Lakes State capital Rumbek.

Acting Head Teacher Manshoor Omer Ramdhan said the Nepalese work in constructing the new latrines and renovating the dormitories rendered a vital service to over 2,000 students at the school.

“The Nepalese Battalion has … given their project to the right people, the right place,” Mr. Ramdhan said. “We shall not betray your trust. We shall maintain it to the best level that we can.”

UNMISS Recovery Reintegration and Peacebuilding (RRP) section funded the QIP, which cost $24,309.

RRP Officer Saeed Hussein said the QIP formed part of a capacity building project for institutions. “The kind of projects we support and fund are mainly small infrastructure (ones) … (like) sanitation, toilets, latrines and dormitories.”

The Nepalese battalion’s main task was to protect civilians, he added, but it had also decided to support development.

Dut Malual Arop, political advisor to the governor, urged students to make education their first priority, as this would determine the future of South Sudan.