4 March 2014 - To monitor projects her country had funded, United States Ambassador Susan Page visited the Western Equatoria State capital Yambio today.

Projects initiated by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) include a girl’s secondary boarding school, the Land Authority office in Yambio County and feeder roads in the state.

Ambassador Page commended the state government for keeping the projects alive, especially the girl’s school, which is being attended by students from four South Sudanese states this year.

She stressed the importance of education for poverty reduction and urged girls to board at the school. There they would be safer from early pregnancy and other hindrances outside to pursue education.

Western Equatoria Governor Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro told Ms. Page the state had remained peaceful after conflict erupted in Juba on 15 December between government and opposition forces, spreading to several other states.

He said Western Equatoria’s priority was education, which was key to success in life and development. The government would build and assist schools, while student enrolment would remain the responsibility of parents and community.

Minister of Education Pia Phillip said the state government believed educated women in politics would reduce conflict and poverty. Women who had gone to school would also value education for their children, he said.