The Diocese of Yei is one of the 31 dioceses of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and is located in the southern tip of the country. It is made up of 6 Archdeaconries and includes the town of Yei and the surrounding ‘River Country’ and is the Diocese of the Right Rev Hilary Adebe.
Prior to the outbreak of the civil war in 1983, Yei was a thriving town, benefiting from its proximity to the Ugandan and Congolese borders. But the 21-year conflict had a devastating impact on the town and the surrounding areas, destroying much of the infrastructure and bringing economic activities to a halt. Yei town was conquered by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in 1997 and now acts as a local headquarters for the organisation.
With the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, Yei has witnessed signs of growth, both economically and in terms of its population. The road to the Ugandan border has been repaired, trade is on the increase and there has been a huge influx of people returning to Sudan after fleeing the country during the civil war. Many of these returnees have spent years living in refugee camps and have arrived in Yei with a range of complex social, physical and psychological needs. The Diocese of Yei is committed to addressing these needs.
The consequences are that Yei has experienced a population explosion which is now in the region of 160,000 people. It has also seen significant development with the availability of 3 mobile networks, newly widened roads and the provision of electricity 12 hours a day.
2010 is a pivotal year for Sudan with April Elections and the Referendum due to take place by January 2011.
The Programmes:
Education
In its 5 year strategy document entitled ‘Post War Response to Human Need’, the diocese has made Education one of its main objectives – specifically aiming to build a new school in each of its 6 Archdeaconries. The partnership with CMS Ireland is helping to realise this aspiration. In January 2007 CMS Ireland facilitated a visit to the Diocese of Yei Synod to officially affirm a 5 year link between the Diocese of Yei and the Diocese of Connor. The practical expression of this link has been to build a primary school at Mongo Archdeaconary. Three parishes in County Wicklow – Delgany, the 3 Churches in Glendalough and Kill O’ the Grange – are working together to fund Payawa Primary School. As well as this support Yei Diocese has benefited from significant financial support from UNDP Sudan Recovery Fund (SRF) and the Basic Services Fund (BSF). These have helped fund two complete new primary schools, nine additional classrooms and training places for 42 teachers. These school building projects represent a practical investment in the future of the people of the Diocese of Yei.
Yei Vocational Training College
The YVTC was set up by the Episcopal Church of Sudan as a response to a shortage of technically skilled workers – who are vital to the recovery of post-conflict Southern Sudan. The college offers practical training opportunities, within a Christian context, to young men and women. Bishop Hilary chairs the management board of YVTC.
Canon John Kanyikwa is the Coordinator of the college and is responsible for managing the four core programmes:
1. Vocational Training (Carpentry and Joinery; Building and Concrete Technology; Vehicle Mechanics and Driving Tuition Electrical installation and Water and Plumbing)
2. Micro Enterprise Programme (MES)
3. Furniture production workshop
The 2-year SRF grant has provided funding for 180 long term and short term training places at YVTC and also provided funding for a vehicle and seed money for the MES.
The Womens’ Empowerment Programme for Transformation (“WEPT”) has now been handed over to local ownership.
Healthcare
Health Line Sudan is the diocese’s new health initiative and is currently being coordinated by Poppy Spens (CMS Ireland Mission Associate). With the help of funding from the Irish Government, Martha Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) was rebuilt in Yei as part of a pilot programme. In addition to providing quality healthcare, the centre will be used to train health professionals. The aim is to replicate this model in other parts of Sudan, this is currently being rolled out in the adjoining Lainya Diocese.
The Diocese also provide Health and Hygiene training through the Martha Health Clinic. The clinic has recently seen significant development, including a refurbishment of the building, the recruitment and training of new staff and the introduction of new treatment protocols. Much of this work has been overseen by Poppy Spens. Poppy is also managing the refurbishment of the Eye Clinic and Maternity ward. The changes have been extremely well received and highly successful, resulting in the PHCC treating approximately 5,000 patients per month.
The 18-month Basic Services Fund grant has also paid for a mobile clinic based in Martha Clinic visiting five areas of the Diocese, paying for a vehicle, salaries and medicines. It also provided funds for drilling of nine boreholes and provision of 12 community pit latrines and Training of five health committees and four PTA’s.
CMS Ireland also support Yei Diocese as they offer theological training through the Yei Laymen Training Centre and Bishop Allison Theological College.
Personnel
John and Poppy Spens, who have been instrumental in the recent development of work in Yei Diocese returned to England in August 2008. However, they maintain a keen interest and involvement in the work there.
CMS Ireland is actively looking for new Mission Partners to serve in Yei Diocese.
