Atiaba, South Sudan

Hope and Resurrection Secondary School (HRSS) is located in the village of Atiaba in Lakes State, South Sudan, in northeast Africa. In Atiaba, there is no electricity, running water, or other municipal services. Even so, many families moved to Atiaba after the opening of Hope and Resurrection Secondary School to give their children a chance to receive an education. 

Atiaba is located approximately 60 km from Rumbek, the closest major city served by an airport.  Several primary schools, a small market, and several small churches are in the area.   Juba,  the nation's capital is a 9-10 hour drive over unpaved roads.

Most families are cattle keepers and practice subsistence farming.  The area's literacy rate is estimated to be approximately 8%. Many girls in the community are married off by the age of 15 and are never able to attend school.

We work with the entire community and its chiefs.  One of the village chiefs, Mangar Marial Benyok, gifted the land for the school. The community is willing to give more should the school campus continue to expand, as the Atiaba community takes pride in HRSS. 

In addition to the nearby village of Akot, the school draws local students from approximately a five mile radius. The majority of male students walk or bike up to two hours each way to and from school, while the majority female students live on campus in the school's dormitories. There are several primary schools in the region.  After students successfully pass Primary 8 (the equivalent of 8th grade in the United States), they may matriculate to HRSS.