Recovery and Reintegration in East and South Sudan

Results reported as of the end of the project (August 2011) include: (1) Both the Lainya and Juba technical training programs have been fully established in South Sudan including significant rehabilitation of Lainya Vocational Institute. So far Lainya has enrolled over 50 students (including 9 girls) and it is expected to host more than 250 students annually when full. At the Juba Institute total enrolment in the regular program has reached 320 students with 329 additional students enrolled under a pilot model for life and employability skills called Basic Employment Skills (BEST). (2) 200 of the 329 students in the BEST program have found work placements in hotels breweries travel agents and small-scale and informal industries in Juba. Others have used the training experience as a launch pad to return to school for further learning or to start small businesses. Plans are now under way to expand this model to other parts of South Sudan including rural settings. (3) In East Sudan the project’s awareness-raising activities led to a 29% increase in birth registration in Kassala State. (4) The project reported a 22% increase in the enrolment of girls in school from 2008-09 to 2010-11. The number of girls-only schools increased from 185 to 205 including new girls’ schools in Hamshbureab and Talkok two communities historically very hostile to girls’ education. (5) Through the establishment of girls clubs the project provided support to young girls pressured to drop out of school for family or cultural reasons. As a result of the girls clubs 47 girl drop-outs reportedly returned to school. (6) Through working with community and religious leaders the project raised awareness about the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) and convinced four communities to declare themselves 'FGM-free'. (7) A Child and Family Protection Unit was established within the Kassala State Police Department with training so that all 100 members of the unit were equipped to carry