Meeting with the Deputy Governor…

H.E. Victor Deng Ngor was one of the first Church of Christ pastors to be trained in Aweil and has been instrumental in establishing churches here and in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. Now he is Deputy Governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazel State. Joseph and Victor have known each other and worked closely together for many years. Today we met and shared our thoughts on faith, government, friendship and much more.

Victor told me he has many visitors from western countries (though I am the first from Australia) and they all raise the same concerns: the need for education, health, agriculture and churches. Few ever return. He admits there are vast challenges they face, but also points to signs of hope in their community - the Aweil Rice Scheme produces enough rice to feed the state, new crops are being developed, curriculum is available for schools (despite the shortage of teachers), trade is increasing, the wind up radios provided by USAID are educating people about health issues, nutrition and politics. Victor seems optimistic.

When we discuss their health needs and agricultural and industrial development Victor is clear that the best way other nations can provide support is through training their young people to provide the needs of their community. Already we have seen the evidence for this. He tells us that if training can be provided for medical officers, the Government will employ the staff. This would provide a gradual but immediate improvement to the provision of health care here.

Victor is also concerned for the hundreds of orphans who roam the streets of Aweil. He has arranged a programme of screening and where they are found to have parents in the state they have been contacted and asked to take responsiblity for their children. For the others he hopes to establish a residential school which will provide basic schooling for those aged 5 to 12 and then vocational training (eg building, engineering, agriculture) for those aged 12 to 15.

We assure Victor of our support and prayers and tell him we will explore some of the options he has put before us. Finally I promise we wont be like the others who never make a second visit. He will see our faces again.