Life in Torit continues....

Life here is very different from back home as you will have picked up from earlier postings on my blog.  In contrast to the weather in Bedford at the moment it is the dry season and it is hot about 35 degrees (apparently it is also 35 degrees at home “Fahrenheit”!).  This is due to rise possibly to 40 degrees in January, February and March.

The biggest difference here is the lack of infrastructure - the roads are appalling with only 150K of tarmac roads in the country. The natural resources are numerous but the difficulty is farming the land and getting the produce, oil and minerals out. The good news is that a contract has been signed to build a tarmac road from Juba through Torit and Kapoeta to the Kenyan border.  Hopefully the construction will start in January 2013 and will be completed within 2 years.  The cost of building a road here is something like $2.5 million per kilometer.

The honeymoon period for the new government is over with many complaints about the lack of progress.  Currently there is an austerity programme because oil production ceased due to the conflict on the north / south border and has yet to restart.   The result is very much more restrictive on spending than at home.  Teachers and other public servants often don't get paid and often there isn't money for fuel for ministry vehicles!

On the positive side the people are very friendly to visitors if not to each other! Tribal rivalries and cattle rustling are very common.  Things we take for granted like the NHS and pensions etc. are very poor.  Death and illness occur frequently and have a big impact on the workplace (I didn't stay positive very long!).  Absenteeism often for legitimate reasons really affects continuity at work.

My job is to advise, support and capacity build in the Eastern Equatoria State Ministry of Education.  I’m a counterpart to the 5 Education Directors.  It has been slow progress, building relationships and trust.  Capacity is low and often the targets set by central government are overambitious.  The work I've been doing on strategic planning, statistical analysis and job descriptions will lead on to revising the State Strategic Plan and putting a Performance Management System in place.  

I’ve recently been to Juba on two occasions, firstly to support the new group of VSO volunteers on their In-country training and then to attend a UNESCO Conference on strategic planning, and statistical analysis and target settings.  The two journeys were a complete contrast. The first was by road taking 3 and half hours to get there and just 3 to get back via Magwi, a town to the south, the roads are much narrow but in better condition.  The second was by UN helicopter, just 45 minutes each way.  Juba is developing at rapid rate with new buildings springing up everywhere including a new terminal at the airport.  The traffic in Juba is chaotic, reminiscent of Delhi.  The way we get around is by motorbike taxi (boda boda).  VSO volunteers are very recognizable with their white crash helmets (very Stiglike!). The first trip was my first ride on a motorbike for over 40 years!

The UNESCO Conference was a bit disappointing but the food was very good!  I had my counterpart from Western Equatoria, Keith with me at the conference and we stayed together at the same accommodation, Sunrise.  Keith and I had much in common to talk about, education, football and walking!  

South Sudan is introducing an Ofsted style inspection system for schools.  This is a very ambitious undertaking and having seen a copy of the draft criteria it is difficult to see how many schools will be rated much higher than inadequate.

Other happenings / highlights from Torit:

On 30 October we attended a meeting with the UN Assistant Deputy Secretary General for South Sudan, the top man here.  It was an energizing meeting, just what is needed here in Torit.

Prior to the VSO In-country training I spent the weekend at Acacia Village, thanks to a kind invitation by Alan, one of our British Police Advisers working here.  I stayed in real luxury (relative I know!) in a lovely cottage style room with 24 hour power and aircon, TV, a comfortable bed and warm clean water to shower in.  The only downside was watching Man City beating Spurs whilst lying in bed!

The helicopter flight to and from Juba was great.  We followed the Juba – Torit Road, there are some photos below.

Food at Curry and Hurry and local Ethiopian restaurants in Juba, we also went to Juba University Film Festival and saw a British film called “Submarine”.  We had a pleasant evening sitting in a field watching the film.

World Aids Day was commemorated in Torit on Saturday 1 December with a big parade and speeches at Freedom Square football pitch.

Also on Saturday 1 December we went the UN Christmas Party at the UN Base.  There was one Christmas decoration and I didn’t feel very Christmassy!  However, the BBQ and the company was great with about 200 guests.

Some photos

Torit to Juba and back by air

Torit airstrip

Birds on the airstrip for Dave