South Sudan: Eager to learn

Sing a song, recite the ABCs, share a poem –  despite a language barrier, all are greeted by enthusiasm, smiles and laughter amongst a large multi-aged group of children who have recently arrived to one of UN’s refugee sites in Unity state, South Sudan.

The children are excited by the new faces during Save the Children’s visit.

Within a few minutes, after singing the alphabet, the children have learned ‘head and shoulders, knees and toes.’

One bright girl creatively added in a line and motions for ‘hands and teeth.’

The children enjoy and deserve the attention. Unfortunately there is little for the children to engage in asides from helping with small chores such as an 11 year old boy who responsibly spends his days caring for his little sister and brother.

Prized possession

He shyly showed off a prized possession – an ink pen – and quietly asked for a piece of paper on which he carefully and neatly wrote his name despite having a little sister climbing on top of him.

All the children are eager to learn from the littlest toddlers clapping their hands while you sing to the older ones showing off their writing and English speaking skills.

Save the Children values education and recognizes the need for learning opportunities and materials, so that an ink pen need not be a luxury item.