Literacy day 2025: how attending school in South Sudan changes girl’s life

In the remote village of Napetait Boma, Kapoeta North County, 16-year-old Emily Lopir grew up facing challenges familiar to many South Sudanese girls. Access to education was a distant dream: cultural norms often undervalue girls’ education, and financial hardship prevents many families from sending their daughters to school. 

“I dropped out of school because my parents could not pay my fees. I lacked uniforms and scholastic materials, which made it difficult to attend classes,” Emily recalls. 

Despite these obstacles, Emily never gave up on her dream to study and create a better future for herself and her community. 

In 2024, Emily’s path changed when AVSI, through the Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) with support from Education Cannot Wait, offered her a sponsorship at St. Mary Magdalene Primary School.

At 16 years old, Emily was still in Grade 8 - a situation that, in the context of South Sudan, is not uncommon. Many girls face challenges such as early marriage, household responsibilities, and interruptions in their schooling, which often delay their progress through primary education.

The sponsorship covered her school fees and essential materials, allowing her to complete Grade 8 without the constant fear of being sent home for unpaid dues.

Emily’s story reflects the broader struggle for education in South Sudan, where many children, especially girls, face barriers to learning. Fewer than four in ten girls are enrolled in school, girls make up most of the country’s out-of-school children, with only a small fraction completing primary school and even fewer managing to move on to secondary education. Cultural expectations, economic hardship, early marriage, and limited resources continue to push many girls out of the classroom.

Through the Multi-Year Resilience Programme, 78 students (31 in secondary school and 47 in primary school) have been sponsored so far, including six girls who successfully transitioned from primary to secondary education. Running from 2023 to 2026, the project aims to increase equitable un interrupted access to quality services for crisis-affected children, particularly vulnerable girls aged 13–18, by addressing their immediate educational needs and promoting holistic learning outcomes within safe, inclusive, and protective environments. This support, which includes appropriate learning opportunities, access to materials, and mental health and psychosocial assistance for both students and educators affected by conflict, helps ensure that girls can remain in school, continue learning, and avoid the risks of early marriage and violence.

Sponsorship is not a quick fix but a vital step in providing children with the essentials for a dignified future: access to education, clean water, shelter, and healthcare. For girls like Emily, it opens doors that would otherwise remain closed, helping them build resilience and plan for a future beyond poverty. 

Emily, now preparing for the next stage of her studies, is determined to continue her journey: 

Emily’s story underlines the importance of literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning and sustainable development. International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on 8 September, was established by UNESCO in 1967 to highlight the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies.

For AVSI, education means more than attending school - it is about creating opportunities for children to thrive, participate in society, and shape their own future. By investing in education, especially for girls, AVSI and its partners contribute to building a more inclusive and resilient South Sudan, where every child has the chance to learn, dream, and succeed.