Repairing Relationships

Peace and Reconciliation
Establishing literate and numerate societies is one of the main goals for Mothers' Union as widespread illiteracy can compound problems relating to the integration and reconciliation of internally displaced persons and refugees, which contributes to sustaining peace within the region.

Peace and Reconciliation in Sudan
For more than 20 years Sudan was engaged in civil war between the South, where Christianity and Animist preside, and the mainly Muslim North. Early in 2003, this war-torn region erupted once again when fighting broke out in the western region of Darfur. It is claimed that the north-south civil war cost 1.5 million lives. In the most recent conflict more than 2 million people have been displaced in Darfur alone and more than 200,000 have been killed to date. In July 2008, the International Criminal Court called for the arrest of President Bashir for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. Therefore the official number of lives lost and those displaced are extremely difficult to calculate.

Mothers' Union Literacy and Development Programme
For the last seven years Mothers' Union Literacy & Development Programme in Sudan has been working directly with the internally displaced, repatriated, returnees and refugees within its literacy circles. The programme's inclusion of refugees and migrants has enabled, once disparate illiterate individuals, to come together to gain literacy and numeracy skills, reconciling different minorities and creating solidarity amongst communities.

Many women who are struggling to raise families and access healthcare have poor knowledge of basic health and nutrition, resulting in high maternal, infant and child mortality. Two generations of Sudanese, mostly from the traditional tribes, have had very limited access to even basic education. Female adult illiteracy averages about 50% but is much higher among the most disadvantaged communities.

Comprehensive Peace Agreement
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 brought renewed hope of peace and the possibility of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning to their homes. However, the cost of moving, and the lack of jobs, infrastructure and security are making this difficult. Establishing literate and numerate societies is one of the main goals for Mothers' Union as widespread illiteracy can compound problems relating to the integration and acceptance of returnees and refugees as well as its general development.

Impact
Literacy circles have proven to be forums for discussion and knowledge sharing with one of the main outputs being the greater unity experienced amongst literacy circle members as well as within their wider communities. There is now greater tolerance of those with different faiths and denominations, those with disabilities and those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The 18 months to two years it takes for a person to become literate and the average life of a literacy circle enables a strong bond of trust to be developed amongst a participant, which is later built on in the post literacy activities and general development of the wider community.

Mission opportunities
Mothers' Union has found that the programme's antiproselytisation policy and inclusion of all, regardless of faith or denomination, has enabled the whole community to benefit whilst helping to unite different sections of society. This way of working has greatly contributed to its impact and success as well as actively demonstrating the love of Christ.