In March 2010 the Reverend Samuel Peni became Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Nzara and put his plan that he had created with the community the previous autumn into action. Education was central to the plan. It would be the cornerstone for future progress in the development of Nzara.
Bishop Samuel asked for help to build a school for children between 4 and 8 years old. The Sudan Support Group agreed to provide £2,225 per year to fund a qualified teacher from Uganda and to help with funding the materials needed. An assistant was found to help the qualified teacher.
The local people, though poor, were very keen to be involved and did all they could to enable the education to begin. The Mothers’ Union and parents of prospective pupils worked together determined “to lay a firm and quality education for the future of our county and nation“.
An “under the tree school” was opened with about 30 children and was free to all children able to attend. Funding was given for rolls of red fabric so that the ladies of Nzara could make the school uniforms. The school was named The St Timothy’s Pre-Primary School. The school was supervised and monitored by the Diocese of Nzara. The Ugandan model for the syllabus and examinations was chosen because its high quality is internationally recognised.
The running costs and teachers’ salaries were paid by the Sudan Support Group.
At the end of the year Bishop Samuel asked for support to build a school. Much teaching time was lost when the weather was wet, and progress would be more consistent with sheltered accommodation.
In 2009 a project to provide Microfinance to women was launched. 15 women received the equivalent of £100 to begin a small business to aid their financial independence and feed and clothe their families. During the year this grew to 21 women.
