Salesian Sisters in Tonj, South Sudan

The manager ICSAP programme Bakhita – Tonj programme site in South Sudan

Foundation

In South Sudan, we are present in three areas of the New Country: in Juba, the Capital City of the Republic, Wau and Tonj. The Salesian Sisters in Tonj, South Sudan works mostly with women. The activities include kitchen gardening for vegetable production and savings and credit. Due to the ongoing political crisis, food, nutrition and income insecurity are major problems. People starve for lack of food. People survive on natural vegetation, roots and fruits particularly for the months before July when groundnut crop is ready to harvest. School attendance for children is a challenge for lack of funds for school fees. The only source of water is from the river. Even training the women is a huge challenge as there are no personnel to provide training and often, we have to rely on human resource from Kenya. Household food, nutrition and income is the ultimate goal.

The case of ICSAP in Tonj

The case of ICSAP in Tonj

The project provides limited external inputs which include assorted clean vegetable seeds appropriate to the locality and small livestock to facilitate establishment of a household kitchen garden. Indigenous vegetables are most encouraged. Capacity and capability training focuses on facilitating understanding of sustainable agriculture concept, principles and practices and the promotion of sustainable agriculture technologies, skills and knowledge. Peace building, gender inclusivity, improved sanitation, climate resilience practices, and youth participation are mainstreamed. The focus is on the achievement of household food, nutrition and income security.