Juba orphanage appeals for supports
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The administration of Orphanage Straight Link Nursery, Primary and Secondary School has said the centre has run out of space for accommodation due to the overwhelming number of orphans.
Okumu Richard Ochang, who is the administrator of the centre said they have registered 1,700 orphans out of which 1, 500 are living with their close relatives under unfavourable situations due to lack of accommodation.
Okumu said the lack of food and necessities such as soap, clothing was another challenge facing the centre.
He appealed to the non-governmental organisations, government, and any well-wishers to support the orphans.
“We have a lot of challenges. We accommodate only 200 orphans because we lack enough room for them. The rooms are congested and we appeal for any support from anybody who wants to support us such as the NGOs, the government, and anyone to construct more rooms to accommodate these orphans.”
“Sometimes we don’t have food totally at the centre. We give thanks to some NGOs and individuals who sometimes pay visits to us and give supports to these children. These are the future leaders of this nation and we need to support them,” said Mr Okumu.
Okumu made the appeal during the Christmas holiday-give back program organised by the Luol Deng Foundation on Tuesday to support the orphans during the festive season.
In April this year, media reports revealed that over 500 orphans including street children were living in tough conditions at the Stone International Church compound in Gudele Block 4. Some of whom were reported to have been sleeping on the floor as well facing lack of food.
South Sudan has no statistics on orphans but reports indicate that majority of children in the country have been orphaned as a result of extreme poverty, subnational conflict, and HIV/AIDS.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (UNFOA), hunger, fueled by a protracted civil war and economic crisis has pushed children into labour or living on the streets in the country.
