South Sudan

We’re delighted to be supporting the Africa Educational Trust (AET) on their their successful Speak Up radio education programme, broadcast across three states in South Sudan. Our Lifeplayer MP3 is being used to deliver their radio-based English language programme to disadvantaged young people, who as a result of decades of conflict in South Sudan, have missed out on an education.

Speak Up was originally designed as a three-year programme which ran from 2010 – 2013. It was funded by Comic Relief and delivered by the Africa Educational Trust (AET), Resource and Open Learning Centers, and Free Voice South Sudan.

These social based radio broadcasts were designed to increase English language and life skills for disadvantaged young people. In addition, they help to strengthen the national media sector through training and employment to new South Sudanese journalists.  Some of the culturally relevant issues explored in these broadcasts were around the environment, health and HIV/AIDS, and basic human rights.

The Evaluation

The project was initially implemented in four states: Jonglei, Lakes, Central (CES) and Western Equatoria (WES).

After three years, the programme was evaluated by two independent educational consultants, and was found to have been particularly successful in reaching learners in hard-to-reach areas. Further, significant learning and retention outcomes among both teachers and students were recorded. Encouragingly, all programme beneficiaries felt that they would benefit from continued Speak Up programming.

The evaluation highlighted that future programming should target returnee, refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) populations, as well as under-served groups.  These groups include those who are physically disabled and those who live in far-flung rural areas.

At present 3,144 students (63% female) attend the Speak Up classes across three states in South Sudan.

Lifeline has provided our Lifeplayer MP3 units for this wonderful, high-impact initiative. None of the schools are electrified, so no one has to worry about not being able to listen when convenient since the Lifeplayer is completely power independent. We will keep you posted on how it is progressing.