Dear Friends,

It has been a while since we last updated you. We thank you for your continuous and generous support of our efforts over the years to advance political, social and economic justice for all women and girls in Sudan and South Sudan.

As you may have been following, since December 15, 2013 South Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal conflict that developed from a political rivalry within the highest leadership level to a serious ethnic conflict. We are disheartened by increasing reports of suffering of the ordinary people since the outbreak of the violence to this moment. The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that 2 million have been displaced as a result of this crisis with over 500,000 refugees in neighboring countries; more than 4 million on the verge of starvation, and tens of thousands reported dead. There are reports of women and girls being raped and forced abduction of young boys to join the fight. Efforts to negotiate peace have recently led to the signing of a Compromise Peace Agreement and we are hopeful that the situation will improve.

However, given the already deteriorating security situation in South Sudan, My Sister's Keeper has suspended operations on the ground indefinitely. We will, however, continue our obligation to work in support of children’s education and achieving sustainable peace in and between Sudan and South Sudan. Building on our nearly 15 years of partnership with the women and families of both countries, we are identifying young women who have completed primary school at the Kunyuk School for Girls in Akon, Gogrial West County, who we can support in continuing their education. We are pleased that the Kunyuk is now being supported by the Girls Education In South Sudan initiative. http://www.girlseducationsouthsudan.org/

We are in regular communications with our friends at the school, particularly Philip Lual, former Kunyuk School Headmaster, and who has served as the Education Supervisor of Akon South Payam. Philip is now at Juba University studying in the College Of Information And Public Relations.

We remain hopeful that the voices advocating non-violence, especially those of women, will lead to sustainable peace in South Sudan.

Thank You!