South Sudan STEM Initiative in partnership with TEYA on education assessment and opening of Computer Laboratory in Panyagoor.

The South Sudan Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (SSSTEM) Initiative is an organization that was founded in 2017 to provide social services to students on science and technology. SSSTEM focuses on educational services and partners with Twic East Community Association (TEYA) in USA, to deliver educational assistance to those most in need and work with communities to improve education and build resilience.

SSSTEM is based in USA and its source of fund is well-wishers or individual supporters. SSSTEM’s priorities of education, gender equality and disability inclusion are addressed effectively by its operations.

The SSSTEM team from USA, in conjunction with the TEYA leadership in Juba, conducted an educational assessment and opened a Computer Laboratory at Dr. John Garang Secondary School in Panyagoor. The mission was to open a Computer Laboratory and empower the youth with technical skills. The objective was to provide quality education and ICT empowerment to Dr. John Garang Secondary School students who are majoring in science and technology.

The team was led by SSSTEM’s managing director Mr. David Ayual Mayom Apioth, accompanied by TEYA executive committee member (Atem Manyok Achuoth). Upon their arrival in Panyagoor, they were warmly received by Dr. John Garang Secondary School Principal Mr. James Majur Atem, members of the teaching staff, community leaders, representatives from the church, and other community members. They landed safely but unfortunately the plane left them before they started the event.

The event started with a prayer from Rev. Peter Deng. It was an inspirational prayer. Dr. John Garang Secondary School Principal acted as the general secretary of the program. He introduced the team to the community members, emphasizing that the program falls under the responsibility of SSSTEM and collaborates with TEYA in Juba.

The primary focus of this program was opening a Computer Laboratory and conducting an education assessment. The Computer Laboratory was ready and would benefit both secondary and primary school students who shared the same compound in Panyagoor Primary School structure. The SSSTEM initiative aims to empower students to reach professional standards on science and technology.

Mr. Ayual Ustaz Mayom Apioth, managing director of SSSTEM, explained that this NGO comprised of seven board of directors and two advisors based in USA and Juba. Mr. David Ayual Mayom was happy to be in Panyagoor for the third time visit. He appreciated all community leaders, county leaders and school administration team for their warm welcome, though he faced a lot of challenges and obstacles to land in Panyagoor. The aim was to support and endure the difficulties faced.

Provision of community services requires hard work and commitment, which is our collective responsibility. That is why you see this young man holding a camera. His name is Atem Manyok Achuoth from TEYA leadership led by Hon. Arok Dut Arok. He was sent to capture this information and he will share it with Juba leadership. Mr. Ayual Ustaz Mayom advised the students and community at large that this initiative needs your dedication and commitment to train yourself and benefit from ICT personnel Ustaz Abraham Deng. He has a Bachelor Degree in Information Technology (IT) and STEM initiative employed him to support this program. STEM knows your challenges and we are working hard to address those issues, but you need to commit yourself to reach professional standards as the world is moving from Arts to Science and Technology. That is the meaning of SSSTEM, which stands for South Sudan Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Through this joint team, we are planning to add more computers and accessories, as well as solar energy for evening and morning prep for candidates.

Deng Bul, Dr. John Garang Secondary School student representative, honoured all visitors and community leaders for this positive event. Deng appreciated the team from Juba for supporting their future. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of computer laboratory and requested more science teachers to ensure that the children (students) can continue to learn properly on science and technology. Mr. James Majur, Dr. John Garang Secondary School principal, introduced the school to the team and community leaders. As most of the people know, Dr. John Garang Secondary School was established in 2006 at Pakuor area by the government of South Sudan as a day school, educating most children across five payams and even neighboring learners. However, flood came in as an obstacle in 2020 and the school was displaced from Pakuor area to Panyagoor primary school premises, where Panyagoor primary school administration gave us four classes. Mr. Principal emphasized that the number of students is less compared to the number of students they had before the flood affected the residence, currently Dr. John Garang Secondary School got more than 500 students.

About the Computer Laboratory
The students of Dr. John Garang Secondary School are very lucky to have a computer laboratory. When I was in school, we never saw a computer. But now, thanks to the STEM Initiative and the Twic East Community Association, our students have access to this world of advanced technology and research. I urge my students to make good use of this opportunity and to learn as much as they can. I also urge the STEM Initiative and the Twic East Community Association to continue supporting our future generations through education services.

Gratitude for the Computer Laboratory
Mama Aguil Bul Koch, the women's representative in Panyagoor, expressed her gratitude for the opening of the computer laboratory. She thanked all the Twic sons and daughters for their support and put on her South Sudan flag in honor of Dr. John Garang de Mabior and his team for liberating the country. She said that she had never seen such a good initiative before and praised Mr. Ayual Ustaz Mayom Apioth and his team. She quoted Nelson Mandela, saying that "if you want to change the community, the nation, and the world, it is through education, nothing else." She said that if most of us had been science and environmental specialists, we would not have been displaced by the flood. She emphasized that we need to prioritize education and support our young people to change themselves.

The Importance of Education
Ustaz John Ajang Mabior, the LWF Education Manager, praised the STEM Initiative and the TEYA team for their efforts to upgrade the school's education program and advance technology (computer laboratory). He pledged to collaborate with Dr. John Garang Secondary School to improve community literacy and raise awareness about the importance of good education, particularly science and technology. He said that the school needs more science teachers, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics teachers. He quoted Nelson Mandela again, saying that "education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

The Need for More Teachers
Sultan Kuer Deng Thiong appreciated the team's positive support for education. He said that the initiative aims to empower children with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their chosen field. He added that Dr. John Garang Secondary School needs more trained teachers, especially in science.

The Importance of Community
Sultan Ajang Aguer also thanked the STEM Initiative and the TEYA leadership in Juba for empowering the community through education. He said that the government had planned to move the school to Bor, but the women and elders refused because they wanted to keep the school in their community. He said that we need to work together to defeat the negative stereotypes about our community.

Sultan Awuol Deng Awuol
Sultan Awuol Deng Awuol expressed his concern about the community's needs. He said that they need more than just a computer laboratory, and that they also need education and other valuable assets in the county. He specifically mentioned that they need more teachers. He also said that they should not invest in Mangella and Guolyar, as those places are for others. They should invest in their own community.

Sultan Deng Nei
Sultan Deng Nei acknowledged the team's work and appreciated their efforts. He also expressed his concern about the threats faced by the community from external factors, such as insecurity, poor roads, poor infrastructure, and lack of development. He said that the community is working hard to improve security measures, but that the issue of insecurity in Twic East is a matter of great concern.

Mabior Deng Mabior Atem
Mabior Deng Mabior Atem, the Twic East Youth leader in Panyagoor, encouraged the youth to unite and work together to achieve the goals of the community. He also requested the newly elected TEYA chairman, Arok Dut Arok, to focus on the needs of the people in Panyagoor. He said that the main challenge facing the education sector is the poor salaries of teachers, and that they also need life skills courses and a youth center. He requested Arok Dut Arok's team to support the renovation of the Twic East Youth Center in Panyagoor.

County Court Leader Mr. Deng Aruei Ajang
County Court Leader Mr. Deng Aruei Ajang praised Mr. Ayual Mayom Apioth for reopening the computer laboratory at Dr. John Garang Secondary School and for his regular visits to Panyagoor since 2017. He said that the people of Twic East were mistreated by the Khartoum government, which is why they took up arms and liberated themselves. He said that the people have already done their part to liberate their country, and now it is time for the government to deliver services to the people. He urged the government to support the next generation of leaders, just as Dr. Majak Agoot Atem did by building a computer and science laboratory at Dr. John Garang Secondary School in Pakuor.

Paramount Chief Daniel Chol Deng Yong
Paramount Chief Daniel Chol Deng Yong stressed the importance of unity in the community. He said that the people should work together for the benefit of everyone, just as Deng Yong did when he built the structures in Panyagoor that people can see today. He said that the people should not be proud of their possessions in Kampala or Nairobi, as these things will not bring them any happiness. He urged the people to return their resources to their community so that they can be respected as important citizens.

Manyok Ayii Thiong
Manyok Ayii Thiong focused on the importance of the Twic East people and their development. He urged the community to contribute positively to the progress of the county. He said that the primary and secondary schools in Panyagoor were constructed by the LWF, and that the computer laboratory was donated by the SSTEM initiative. He requested Dr. John Garang Secondary School Principal James Majur Atem to take care of the computers until the community receives another donation from well-wishers.

Twic East County Executive director and acting commissioner Mr Deng Akuei Praise SSSTEM initiative managing director, board of directors,plus two advisors above mentioned by Mr Ayual Ustaz Mayom Apioth and all delegated team sent by TEYA, he also appreciated Dr John Garang Secondary School principal Mr James Majur Atem for a positive work that he has seen in the county, executive director say that this is world of technology, he encourage Dr John Garang Secondary School students to work harder for betterment of this nation,Mr Deng added that during their time at the University,they have never seen a computer not even operation,he use a computer in 2011,when the government of South Sudan taking them to South Africa for training,he encouraged the students to use this opportunity properly and work toward achieving their goals. Mr Deng Akuei acknowledge and recommended Dr John Garang Secondary School principal to take care of this computers (both old and new computers).

The meeting concluded with a prayer led by Rev.Peter Deng, all community leaders and government officials whose attendance the meeting was amazing and happy for the good news of advance technology in the area. Mr peter Deng acknowledge and appreciated all the team who pay attention to support these students at Dr John Garang Secondary School, as peter expressed his appreciation to Dr.John Garang school administration because he was a product of the school.

By Atem Manyok Achuoth
TEYA Writer & Content Creator