The world’s youngest nation, South Sudan possesses abundant natural resources. However, extreme poverty, conflict, climate change and lack of livelihood opportunities remain major challenges. This week, please pray for our staff and partners preventing malnutrition and helping communities to support themselves.
Sunday 29 June
More than 2 million children in South Sudan are at risk of acute malnutrition, which can lead to serious health issues. Early treatment is essential so that children can live healthy and productive lives. Pray that more resources and support will be given to areas like Twic East, which is facing a serious malnutrition problem, particularly in children under five.
Monday 30 June
Tearfund has established nutrition and stabilisation centres in Twic East to combat the malnutrition crisis. These offer treatment, including ready-to-use therapeutic food, a life-saving peanut-based paste for children that treats acute malnutrition. Pray that children will respond well to the treatment and that more parents will admit their children to the centres.
Tuesday 1 July
When Yar arrived at Tearfund’s nutritional and stabilisation centre in Jonglei State, South Sudan, her eight-month-old daughter, Nyariak, was critically ill. Baby Nyariak exhibited concerning symptoms, including fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and difficulty breathing. Pray for mothers like Yar who, right now, have children who need urgent medical help.
Wednesday 2 July
Thanks to the swift diagnosis and treatment plan devised by Tearfund’s nutrition team, baby Nyariak started to make a good recovery. ‘I thought I could lose her, but now I feel very happy,’ says Yar. Pray that Nyariak will continue to recover and lead a happy, healthy life.
Thursday 3 July
Tearfund has been running life-changing Transforming Communities training in South Sudan for more than 30 years. The training through the local church gives communities a voice, works in different settings, breaks dependency on aid and enables local resources to be used to respond to needs identified by the community. Pray that more churches and denominations will get trained and start programmes.
Friday 4 July
The five-year conflict in South Sudan (2013 to 2018) severely impacted the town of Kajo-Keji and the surrounding area. Most of its infrastructure was destroyed, including schools. Through Transforming Communities training, the church in Jokat decided to build a new school. ‘We all agreed to do something,’ says Chaplain Dube Duku. Give thanks that the school now has five teachers and 130 students.
Saturday 5 July
Join in prayer today with Loice Kango from Tearfund’s team in South Sudan: ‘Almighty God, I want to thank you for this day. I pray for all Tearfund staff, may you always protect them and guide them to do work in your name. I also pray for more funding so we can get more resources and reach out to the most vulnerable people living in poverty in South Sudan. I pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.’
