Meet Monica, a teacher from St Justina Primary school in Cueibet, South Sudan, who is encouraging young learners and inspiring girls to dream for more than just marriage.

Monica is a graduate from Mazzolari Teacher Training College (MTTC) a Jesuit centre which is empowering communities through education and the training of teachers. MTTC was founded in 2014 and is a beacon of hope in the region which stood defiantly open throughout years of conflict standing steadfast for peace and learning.

Today the centre continues to uplift marginalised communities now and for future generations to come developing empathetic and competent teachers who are conscious of the many barriers children face, especially girls.

Traditional practices and customary laws objectify girls, and they are often forbidden from attending school or forced into marriages jeopardising their studies and futures.

Teachers, like Monica, are the agents of change pushing back on the prejudices which are holding their communities back.

In her own words, this is her story:

My name is Monica Akuruel, and I am a teacher at St. Justina Primary School in Cueibet. I am originally from Jiir Payam in Rumbek, but I moved here to work as a teacher.

I am 26 years old and the firstborn in my family, which consists of seven children: four boys and three girls. My father is a farmer, and unfortunately, some of my siblings hadn’t  been able to attend school. 

Education in South Sudan is quite expensive, and my father struggles to put food on the table for us, which makes it difficult for him to send all of us to school. Despite the challenges he faces, some of us could get schooling.

I completed my secondary education in 2019 and then joined Mazzolari Teacher Training College in 2022. Initially, there were 20 students in my class, both male and female. However, due to various reasons, some dropped out, until only six of us remain in the program.

I am currently the only one in my family pursuing this path. After my family struggled to send me to college, I was determined to chase my dream, although supporting my other siblings has been challenging. 

At college, we are provided with food, shelter, and a conducive environment for learning, which has made my experience comfortable. I have learned a lot, including teaching techniques, how to present lessons, and manage a classroom.

My love for working with children has deepened through this experience. 

As a female teacher, my message to the girls in my community is to encourage them to pursue their education so we can achieve balance with boys.

In Jiir Payam, girls face various challenges. They are often seen as a source of wealth, and parents worry about them being influenced negatively by boys while at school.  

Monica teaches under the shade of a tree.

To address this issue, we need to raise awareness about the benefits of educating girls.

Some parents believe that girls can only bring wealth through marriage, not recognizing that education can also provide wealth for their families and the nation.

It’s crucial to support parents so they feel less burdened by the costs of sending their daughters to school, which is often cited as a reason to keep them at home. 

The support I believe is needed involves providing resources for girls. They are often sensitive and prefer to attend school in clean clothes, so they require school fees, soap, and hygiene products.

Support is essential for them to succeed. 

 As for my role as a teacher, I am grateful for the training and the job I received, as it gives me hope for further educational opportunities. However, I currently struggle to save money because I am responsible for taking care of my family and paying for my siblings’ education. I feel helpless and need additional support outside of my teaching role, as I aspire to further my education.

My family is very supportive of my ambitions. They prioritize my education over traditional expectations of marriage, hoping that I will achieve something significant in the future. 

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Despite the huge importance of teachers for development, in South Sudan, the day to day lives of a teacher is a struggle. Education is not prioritised by the government, and state salaries can be less than $5 per month and often these wages are delayed.

It is a heartbreaking reality.

Stories of teachers walking for miles to bring marginalised children a chance at a brighter future and classroom settings ranging from tents, grass-huts or simply in the shade of trees.

Teachers do all this under resourced and struggling under government incompetence, but it is through teaching training projects in Cueibet and YOUR support – that teachers like Monica can continue to empower their communities.

Our Red Chair Campaign is a fund aimed at building brighter futures and support and donations will pool monies to continue to bring education to those who need it most.

The fund covers several aspects to developing education from providing learning materials to teacher salaries and trainings.

Education is the vital steppingstones to break from poverty, together we can make sure no seat is left empty in a classroom and safe spaces for learning and innovation can thrive and nurture!

Be part of something amazing and contribute no matter how big or small to a movement truly changing lives for the better.