Once destroyed by conflict, the classrooms of Wau now stand rebuilt, offering young learners a safe space to dream again and marking a powerful step in the region’s journey toward recovery and renewed hope.
At Biringi Primary School in Baggari Payam, four classrooms were renovated, complete with new latrines, a borehole, and a clean water system.
The once-crumbling structures, destroyed during the 2016 conflict, have transformed into bright learning spaces.
“We used to study under trees,” recalls 18-year-old pupil David Juma Natali. “When it rained, we stayed home. Now, we can learn all day without fear.”
Headteacher Domini Zakodo Ali says the improvements have reshaped academic performance. “Our success rate has jumped from 10% to 75%. The change is remarkable.”
At Jebel Andiya Primary School, two new classrooms now stand where children once studied beneath the scorching sun. For 19-year-old Marcell Lucia, it’s the end of constant disruption.
“The new classrooms protect us from rain and heat. We can finally focus,” she said.
Teachers echo the same relief. “We used to teach in grass-thatched huts that collapsed after a few months. Now, we can plan lessons knowing our classrooms will stand,” said Rufai Leon.
The project’s impact extends beyond education. For village chief Lucio Carlo, it means safety and opportunity. “Before, our children walked over 12 miles to study. Now, they learn here, close to home. These classrooms are a gift to our future.”
Through the Enhancing Community Resilience and Local Governance Project Phase II (ECRP II), the Government of South Sudan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have breathed new life into schools long scarred by conflict and neglect.
Funded at $150 million, the ECRP II project targets nearly a million vulnerable people across South Sudan, focusing on education, resilience, and essential services.
For the children of Western Bahr el Ghazal, the walls of their new classrooms are more than bricks and mortar, they’re foundations for dreams, dignity, and a brighter tomorrow.
