South Sudan has an estimated population of 12m people, almost half of whom are of school age. But only a little over 2m are in school, and 3m who ought to be, are not.
Many children start school, but numbers enrolled reduce rapidly through primary school. Secondary schools are concentrated in the eleven largest towns.
Some teachers manage to gather fees from parents – but many have nothing from which to pay. Boys get sent off to keep cows, if they are lucky, or to fight, if they are not. Girls are married off early, because families are desperate for bride price.
In this context, a decent, weather-proof, school, with teachers who are paid a wage they can live on, and that has some books and basic resources, can make a massive difference to children and families’ lives and futures.