Christian Solidarity International (CSI), along with Talkers Magazine and its political editor Ellen Ratner, took a trip to Southern Sudan and the border of southern Darfur in March 2008. Six broadcasters came on the trip and helped to deliver survival kits (“Sacks of Hope”) to freed slaves and villagers in the area. CSI also took the broadcasters to meet with President Salva Kiir of Southern Sudan, who has been supportive of CSI’s mission in the area. During the trip broadcasters viewed a school in the area built with international assistance that was basically unused. From this stemmed the idea of building basketball courts with accompanying showers and a gathering facility so that villagers could build community spirit, learn and develop proper hygiene, and learn reading skills and simple mathematics. What is clear is the importance of going to school, given the grip of possible starvation, lack of jobs, lack of electricity, and lack of any infrastructure means that a much more creative approach must be taken.
MISSION
CSI is a Christian human rights organization for religious liberty, helping victims of religious repression, victimized children, and victims of disaster. CSI was founded in 1977 in Switzerland by Rev. Hans Stückelberger, following peaceful demonstrations in support of persecuted Christians. CSI’s primary objective is worldwide respect for the God-given right of every human being to choose his or her faith and to practice it, as stipulated in Art. 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a non-profit, independent organization, CSI cooperates with Christians of all denominations as well as with churches, human rights organizations and the public.
ORIGINS OF CSI’S EFFORTS IN SUDAN
In 1992 CSI took a fact-finding trip to Southern Sudan. For years CSI has been distributing Sacks of Hope survival kits to internally-displaced people. CSI has a full-time field physician in the area, Dr. Luka Deng, and has provided medication and medical supplies as well. Dr. Deng also provides education and prevention services in the area. Despite the current pronouncements of the President of Sudan, CSI has the full support of President Kiir and will not be asked to leave Southern Sudan. CSI is supported by Christians and other people of goodwill, it has a United States affiliate with a Board of Directors. The US affiliate has raised in recent years between $750,000 and $1.5 million per year. CSI-USA is organized as 501(c)(3) not-for-profit.
SCOPE OF PROJECT
The initial scope of this project is four basketball facilities. The first facility will be built in Wanejok, Northern Ba?r al Ghazal Province, Southern Sudan. The second basketball facility will be located in Akon, Northern Ba?r al Ghazal Province, Southern Sudan, near the Senator Samuel Brownback Clinic (which is in current disrepair, and repair of the clinic is part of the project). The other two sites will be determined within the same geographical area.
COSTS
The current costs to build one court and facilities are:
• Bore a hole, including tanks and showers: $15,000
• Latrine: $1,500
• Basketball court with cement and steel rod base: $15,000
• Thatched meeting hall with brick and cement base: $10,000
• Permanent tukul for volunteers: $20,000
Funding for the first court is guaranteed, with other funds being raised in the United States with a challenge grant.
ONGOING COSTS
Ongoing yearly costs will include meals and transportation for volunteers, maintenance, hats, t-shirts, and clothing for participants, literacy materials, health education materials, as well as medicine and program materials. Depending on the size of the program and number of participants, which can have unlimited expansion given the profound need, costs will be starting at $25,000 per year and can be expanded to $100,000 per year.. We expect to raise some of this money through the Palm Oil Trust project of All for Africa.
PROGRAM TEAM
Currently the project team is Dr. Luka Deng, Gunnar Wiebalck, and Dr. John Eibner, all of Christian Solidarity International, Ellen Ratner of Talk Radio News Service, volunteer talk show hosts, and church volunteers from around the USA. Ellen Ratner will also be working with media outlets within the United States to publicize the project as well as to document the project.
TIMELINE
The first facilities will be built by the end of 2009, with an expectation that the three remaining courts will be completed within the following 18 months.
CONSTRUCTION
CSI has a history of constructing facilities using all-local crews, providing a great boost to the local economy. CSI has a record in Southern Sudan for 15 years and has many cooperating agreements with local village leaders as well as appointed and elected officials in Southern Sudan.
Authors : Dr. John Eibner, CSI-USA & Ellen Ratner,Talk Radio News Service
