OUR STORY
Our work started with the establishment of Lost Boys Rebuilding South Sudan (LBRSS), a non-profit organization founded in 2005 by South Sudanese refugees, known as Lost Boys, who resettled in Chicago. LBRSS raised funds to build schools and provide education to the people of South Sudan - in an effort to establish a foundation for the country's development and prevent future violence and civil unrest. When the first school was built, we found that none of the girls were coming - yet they were the key to expanding education within their families and communities. Since girls spend most of their day drawing and carrying water, we had to meet them where they were - at the water wells. This is how the Literacy at the Well program was born.
WHY LITERACY?
South Sudan has the lowest literacy rate in the world - only 1 out of 10 women and 3 out of 10 men are able to read and write. This leaves its citizens vulnerable to corruption and exploitation, with many communities resorting to violence to resolve conflict.
Without education, the nation will remain:
Unable to develop and realize the full potential of its citizens.
Dependent on others outside of the country for support.
Unable to establish and fully participate in democracy and elect strong leaders.
Vulnerable to corruption, exploitation, violence and instability.
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OUR FOCUS
Mission
To equip South Sudanese citizens with the education necessary for full participation in the development of a peaceful and healthy nation.
Vision
To accelerate the acquisition and mastery of literacy, language and life skills in a manner that is not impeded by South Sudan’s instability and lack of infrastructure.
Objective
To create a learning roadmap that will provide and improve the literacy, language and life skills of communities by expanding on the LATW network of teachers, learners and literacy leaders.