December 2011
December is an exciting month for Sudanese Youth Opportunity!
Peter Nyok arrived safely in Kenya on November 30. After a year of hard physical labor working in a meat packing plant located in Oklahoma, he has saved enough money to travel to Sudan for 3 months. At his job, he used knives and cuts meat all day long, resulting in extremely sore hands and arms. Peter said, “It’s the hardest job, I’ve ever had.”
At the airport in Nairobi, he was reunited with his wife. Now he plans to travel to see our 19 students attending boarding school near Kapanguria. After taking the students shopping, he will go to Southern Sudan where his 3 year old daughter and wife live. During his stay, he will start planning for his future business in Southern Sudan.
In November, we sent a new camera to Rev. Jacob, our student coordinator for our 4 Nairobi day students. We hope he is able to travel to see our students in boarding school. Soon, you will receive new photos of your students.
Every penny you donate through scholarships and African crafts sales, goes directly to these 23 students. Only a small percentage is used to cover our non-profit status under Hope With Sudan (3%) and our wire fees, about $15 three times a year.
In January, school opens a new term, and all of our students advance one grade. Thanks to our generous, committed sponsors, all of the students in our program have their school tuition and supplies fees covered. We will send out the latest grades as soon as they arrive from Dr. Nilsson.
Two of our newly graduated Nairobi day students. In January, they start 1st level in primary school.
A big thank you to Alison van Diggelen a for hosting a neighborhood African craft party. Simon Deng from Hope With Sudan attended the event along with 15 of Alison’s friends. In addition to selling African crafts, Helen van Diggelen’s displayed her Lil Sophia jewelry and donated a large percentage of the proceeds to Sudanese Youth Opportunity. Your crafts sales and donations will help fund a school gift to Dr. Nilsson’s boarding school along with Peter taking the students on a Christmas shopping trip this month.
October 2011
All the students are growing and we want to keep up with that process. We have asked Dr. Nilsson to take photos of our students and send them to us.
Photo taken Sept. 25 & emailed to us by school director.
August 2011
Hello Friends and Sponsors of our Sudanese Students,
Our students are doing well overall. Grades from the spring term ending in June were recently mailed to sponsors.
19 Sudanese Students Attending Boarding School in Kapenguria, Kenya:
At Sunflower Junior Academy, our students attended a two week tutoring session recommended by the director of the school to strengthen their skills. We are so proud of these 1st through 8th graders who are studying in a language different from their native Sudanese language, Dinka. In a few days, your tuition donations for September term will be wired directly to the school’s bank. In addition to tuition payments, we are sending funds for polio vaccinations donated by St. Stephen’s in-the-Fields. After a recent scare with one of our students incorrect polio diagnosis, we learned that none of our students have ever received the polio vaccine. Your tuition donations cover the cost of tuition fees, books, uniforms and supplies. We are thankful that St. Stephen’s is able to support this extra vaccination expense which is vital to insuring a successful future for our students.
4 Sudanese Students Attending Day School in Nairobi, Kenya:
Under the guidance of Rev. Jacob Nhial Guut, our 4 Sudanese students are attending day school in Nairobi. Report cards and the following photos were emailed to us in June. To view the entire photo album, click on one of the photos below.
3 or our "day" students attending Sportsview Junior Academy in Nairobi (Joseph, Abuk & Monica)
Our 4th "day" student in Nairobi (Anai)
Our 1st High School Student:
Abraham is doing well and we received his report card, too. He occasionally emails us short messages saying that he is doing well and is thankful to be in school. Next year, four of our students with be joining him at the high school level. The high school he attends is directly affiliated with the current Sunflower Junior Academy. Dr. Nilsson, the director of the school, coordinates Abraham’s report cards and tuition payments with us.
Peter Nyok’s Update:
Peter Nyok is still working hard at a meat packing plant in Oklahoma. Eventually, he plans to return to Sudan, join his wife and daughter and start a business. Partnering with the director of our Kenya boarding school to build a school in Sudan is in his future plans too. Peter’s presence in the Bay Area has touched many of us. And we continue to support him through sponsorship and commitment to the 23 students he chose to educate for the future of Southern Sudan.
Please contact us is you have any questions.
Kindly,
Sandie Muellner, Student Scholarship Coordinator
Email
Carol Pecora, Treasurer and Webmaster
Email
Peter Nyok’s Sudanese Students Attending Boarding School in Kenya
June 2011
Our students are in the middle of their 2nd year of private boarding school in Kenya. For the past year and a half, they have been working hard in an environment with high standards and expectations. After visiting with them last Novermber, Peter tells us that their English skills have improved greatly during their first year at this new school.
Boarding School - Sunflower Junior Academy, Kenya
From Dr. Nilsson, director of Sunflower Junior Academy, we hear the following:
“We do our very best 12 hours a day and 12 hours a night! We have a short break now, so called half term or mid-term, in connection with a weekend and after mid-term tests to give pupils and students a well deserved rest – or breathing time – rest is repair and recovery.”
Dr. Fride Nilsson, Director of Faith Homes of Kenya
In May, we enrolled our first student in high school, Abraham Kuot, one of Peter’s orphan’s, rescued from Sudan in 1996. He is attending Buyofu Secondary School in Busia district at Makutano.
We have 9 boys and 10 girls attending primary school at Sunflower Junior Academy in Kapenguria:
4 – 8th graders
3 – 7th graders
1 – 6th grader
5 – 5th graders
2 – 4th graders
3 – 3rd graders
1 – 1st grader
Rev. Jacob Nhial Guut, Kenya based program director, Sudanese Youth Opportunity
We have 1 boy and three girls attending Sportsview Junior Academy in Nairobi.
3 – pre-unite
1 – 3rd grader
Thank you for your continued support. Every term we collect report cards and wire school fees to the director of the school.
Please feel free to email us if you would like more details about your student’s progress.
Kindly,
Sandie Muellner, Student Scholarship Coordinator
Email
Carol Pecora, Treasurer and Webmaster
Email
Last Sunday, February 29, over 30 people met at Almaden Episcopal Church to hear from 3 local Sudanese and to receive Sudanese Youth Opportunity student updates.
Sudanese Speakers:
John Pandak works at at our local Safeway. He told of his driving three others for five hours to vote for the South Sudan Referendum in Phoenix, Arzona. It was his first time ever to vote. Sudanese were required to go to their voting places twice! once to register and once to vote. It was a hardship that the Sudanese were more than willing to participate in. The outcome was nearly 99% in favor of establishing their new country.
Ben Makit has a security job and is finishing up his Global Studies major San Jose State. He is supporting eleven students in his Sudan family. They are in school in Kenya and in Uganda.
Samuel (Garang) Deng returned from Africa on February 11. He answered questions. He said people of the New South Sudan (to be declared July 9th) are currently getting help in writing a constitution for their new country. He talked about Abeiya where the South Sudanese oil fields are. The outcome of a new oil revenue sharing agreement will have a huge bearing on the long-term stability of South Sudan after the referendum. Sharing oil revenue was key to the Comprenhensive Peace Agreement, which brought Sudan’s long-running civil war to an end in 2005. Samuel said the Chinese have come in to run the fields. Currently crude oil (South Sudan has no refinerys) is piped to ports in the north. That will remain the process unless there is trouble with the north. Meanwhile South Sudan is trying to arrange for piping their oil through Kenya. The most exciting news was that Samuel is getting would-be Sudanese entrepreneurs together with American business people so that new businesses can be established and mentored in South Sudan. Learn more at Newscholars.net. Ben and John are returning to Sudan for visits; one in April and one in May. Carol said SYO would be glad to help with supplies etc. when they go.
Carol presented the latest reports of students progress handing out students grades to sponsors. And Sandie spoke of Dr. Nilsson, the Head of School at Sunflower Junior Academy. The school in Kapenguria is in the north west of Kenya, in a beautiful wooded area. But it is outside the delveloped area and has no water or electricity. All that must be brought in. The school has a dispensary, with nurse and dentist. When we told of how many of our students were struggling to catch up to the high standards of this school, Samuel and Ben and John all said that the children would indeed catch up and do well. And raised our hopes, telling us that students attending this kind of Kenyan school have gotten into and done well at UC Berkely.
Meanwhile, Peter Nyok continues to work hard at a meat-packing company in Oklahoma. He is supporting his wife and daughter in South Sudan and many other children he has rescued who live in Kenya. Peter sends his best regards and prayers for the work of SYO.
Do you have a used laptop computer you would like to donate to John or Ben? They would be happy to carry them back to Africa on their upcoming trips.
Would you like to hear about how learn about how you can help new Sudanese graduates living in Sudan? Visit Samuel’s website at Newscholars.net.
Contact Carol Pecora if you would like more information.
Join Us For a Gathering
Sudanese Youth Opportunity (SYO) is hosting a gathering at Episcopal Church of Almaden on Sunday, February 27 at 3:00 pm.
Our presentation will include a discussion led by local Sudanese on Southern Sudan news and student updates from our scholarship coordinator, Sandie Mueller. Refreshments will be served. Everyone, especially those sponsoring students through SYO, is invited to attend.
SYO supports students from the Southern Sudan who are attending boarding school in Kenya, coordinated by Peter Nyok.
WHAT: Sudan Referendum Discussion & Update on Our Students
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 27 at 3:00 pm
WHERE: Episcopal Church of Almaden, 6581 Camden Avenue, San Jose, 95120
RSVP: Please reply to carol@sudaneseyouthopportunity.org if you are planning to attend.
Questions? Contact Sandie Mueller, 997-1642 or Carol Pecora carol@sudaneseyouthopportunity.org
Our Students at Sunflower Junior Academy
Car Donation Needed
May 19, 2010
Peter Nyok’s car broke down last Sunday.
His 15 year old Honda was repaired 5 months ago ($500) and now requires more engine repairs ($900).
At this time, he is relying on his Sudanese friends for rides to work and church.
If you have a car that works and you no longer need it, consider donating it to Peter so he can continue his important educating Sudanese orphans attending school in Kenya.
Hope With Sudan will provide you with a tax-deductible donation receipt.
Contact – carol@SudaneseYouthOpportunity.org
Slideshow Presentation
- Student B., sponsored by Wanda
Peter Nyok’s
Sudanese Youth Opportunity
A project of Hope With Sudan
YOU ARE INVITED… SUNDAY MAY 23, 3pm
Slideshow Presentation – Peter’s Recent Kenya & Sudan Trip
Come see amazing photos of the students and their new boarding school, Sunflower Junior Academy (Faith Home of Kenya) in Kapenguria.
Learn about the Lost Boys of Sudan & current issues facing Sudan. After the slideshow, several Sudanese living here in San Jose will be available to answer your questions.
Bring a friend………Refreshments………African Crafts
Location: St. Stephen’s in-the-field
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd., San Jose, CA 95139
Questions? Contact carol@SudaneseYouthOpportunity.org
High Academic Honors
Dec. 13, 2009
Special recognition to the following students for their outstanding academic performance over the past term.
Daniel A. - class 4 - class rank #1
Martha A. - form 2 (high school) - class rank #4
Abraham K. - class 7 - #2
Martha A. - class 5 - #5
Samuel M. - class 6 - #1
Peter N. - class 5 - #1
Roda A. - class 3 -#3
“Everybody is Jumping”
Dec. 13, 2009
Peter holding his daughter Athieng, Yar (his wife) & students in Feb. 2009
“Everybody is jumping” is the response Peter received when he called his wife in Nakuru with the news that all of the children will go to school this term. The children are performing well, and end of term report cards have been scanned and emailed to our SYO scholarship coordinator, Sandie Mueller. The month of December is holiday time. The new term begins on January 4, with the start of a new school year and new grade level.
A Peek at the Lifestyles of Our Students
12/1/09
Rev. Jacob Guut with our students in Kapenguria
They eat three times a day, breakfast, lunch and supper. Students in Kapenguria, Nairobi and Nakuru get to school on foot. Kapenguria students walk 15 minutes to get to their school; Nairobi students have a ten minute walk; and Nakuru students must walk a good 35 minutes to get to school. This November the students have been taking their end of term exams. The children participate in the 8-4-4 system of Kenya: (eight years of elementary, four years of high school, and four years of university.) Students learn to read, write and do mathematics. The school day lasts from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. When they get back home from school they change out of their uniforms and into their play clothes. Older children help with the younger ones, and they all participate in the family chores: cleaning house and washing utensils after meals. The children are responsible for polishing their shoes and washing their sox. When they’ve finished their work the girls like to skip rope, the boys like to play football (soccer, in the U.S.), and they all play hide-and-seek. The children are assigned homework, and in the evening they spend around one hour daily on study and revision. They get help with their home work from their guardians – and the older ones always assist the younger ones. At night some of the children sleep beneath mosquito nets – while others do not because nets have not yet been bought. Scientists have predicted that this is an El Nino year and heavy rains have already started. The last El Nino rains occurred in the country in 1997. But the rain now is too late for this year’s crops and livestock forage. Still, the rain is welcome because there has been devastating drought in the area. There has been a great shortage of water – even drinking water. Our students are glad for the rain.
submitted by Sandie Mueller, SYO Scholarship Director
Sudanese Youth Opportunity Update 12/2/09
Carol Pecora (St Stephens in-the-Field), Joy Austin-Lane and Sandie Mueller (ECA) thought you would like an update on what is going on with Peter’s orphans in Kenya.
There are in all 63 children, all refugees from the mayhem in Southern Sudan. Six are in Nairobi (in central Kenya,) and twenty-two are in Nakuru (western Kenya) and thirty-four are up in Kapenguria (a northern part of Kenya.)
As of Thanksgiving, we have 16 sponsors. Every week we gain one or two more sponsors. This steadiness of new sponsors is very encouraging and we give thanks to God who heartens people to sign on to help these children.
In addition, SYO supports 2 university scholars. In San Jose, Peter’s Sudanese cousin, Mamer Mayen attends De Anza College as a first year student studying business. In Nairobi, Jacob Nhial Guut, our SYO program director living in Nairobi, is in his first year of seminary.
Peter Nyok always reminds us he is praying every day for the work needed to be done for these children and for those helping. The Reverend Jacob Nhial, our Man On the Ground in Nairobi, is also a great pray-er. He not only works to connect us with the children and their schools, but he studies at seminary, and opens his home and ministers to many Sudanese in his area.
We feel blessed to be involved with these children, the poorest of the poor, who have already survived very difficult times, who live clear across the globe from us, and who truly know what trusting in the Lord means. In Kenya, the students all walk to school – for those in Nakuru it’s a brisk 35 minute walk. But they do it eagerly because Peter has instilled in them huge hope, and great dreams. He believes that a good education is key for them to participate and succeed in life.
On Dec. 30, Peter will make his yearly flight to Kenya. He will visit his wife, Yar, and toddler girl, Athieng now 14 months old.
submitted by Sandie Mueller, SYO Scholarship Director
Clothes Donations
12/11/09
Thank you to all of Peter’s friends who donated clothing. These donated items will be traveling with Peter on his Dec. 30 trip to Kenya. The clothes, shoes, blankets and backpacks will be presented to all of the children in our Sudanese Youth Opportunity program.
Clothes Donations for Peter's Dec. 30 Trip
November Neighborhood Party
11/20/09
Alison’s friends & neighbors gathered for a Sudanese Youth Opportunity African crafts and Lil Sophia Jewelry party. Guests enjoyed meeting Peter, learning about the students living in Kenya while also getting a chance to do Christmas shopping for jewlery and African crafts.
Alison's Neighborhood Party
Peter Nyok, Carol Pecora & Mamer Mayen
Peter’s San Jose Team
12/11/09
Joy Austin Lane, Almaden Episcopal Church, Program Development
Sandie Mueller, Almaden Episcopal Church, Scholarship Coordinator
Carol Pecora, St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church, Treasurer & Webmaster
We are collecting clothes & school supplies.
Your donations will be hand delivered to the children when Peter returns to Kenya on December 30.
Contact us if you have questions or items for pick-up.
More news
African Crafts Sale Nov. 2, Nov. 9 & Nov. 16
Don’t miss our annual African Crafts sales with proceeds going to fund the students in our program who are still waiting for sponsorship.
We have a colorful variety of items Peter brought back with him on his recent trip and many new items from our new partnership with African Team Ministries.
50% of your purchase is tax deductible
- Nov. 2 – St. Stephens-in-the-Field (11 – 12 am)
- Nov. 9 – Episcopal Church in Almaden & Almaden Valley Church of Christ
- Nov. 16 – Episcopal Church in Almaden & Almaden Valley Church of Christ
More news
Two of our Students in Nairobi, Kenya
10/30/09
Today, our Kenyan based program director, Rev. Jacob Nhial Guut, sent a fun report about two of our Sudanese Youth Opportunity scholars, (his two children).
Rev. Jacob is busy with his studies in seminary / bible college, coordinating our 65 students education fees, communicating through email with our organization and taking care of his wife, two children and niece!
I hope you enjoy the photos below.
More news
Diocesan Convention ~ El Camino Real ~ Craft Sale
10/24/09
Sudanese Youth Opportunity hosted an African Crafts sale with proceeds going to fund the students in our program who are still waiting for sponsorship.
Thank you to our dedicated Sudanese Youth Opportunity representatives present at the event.
Peter Nyok ~ SYO Program Director
Sandie Muelle ~ SYO Scholarship Director.
Joy Austin Lane – SYO Development Director.
Morrie Munson ~ BIG supporter of all of the Lost Boys in San Jose
More news
Successful Car Wash!
10/11/09
Note from Christian Education ECA & UCC
Congratulations! Thanks to those (including both youth and non-youth) willing to brave the chilly temperatures and work at car wash last Sunday 69 vehicles were washed and $724 were raised. The money will go towards assisting in the educational needs of Peter Nyok’s orphans. I had the chance to talk with Peter after the car wash on Sunday and was pretty amazed at some of the stories he had to tell. Perhaps he can speak to us of his amazing life.
More news
Thank Your for the Backpacks!
January, 2009
In January, St. Stephen’s and Episcopal Church of Almaden donated backpacks to Peter’s orphan education program.
Peter Nyok delivered them in February, and below are pictures of very happy children wearing their new backpacks.
More news
Peter Gai K.
I am a young boy named Peter Gai K., a Sudanese by nationality and my age is eleven years. I was born in South Sudan. I have two sisters and one brother.
We lost our father when I was a young child and my mother has taken care of us since then. She has struggled hard to feed us and bring us up.
I was taken by my uncle Peter Herjok Nyok who brought me to Kenya so that I can start my education at Timothy Primary School. He has taken care of me since then and I am now in class three.
My favorite subjects in school are, English, C.R.E, and history. I find history a very interesting subject since it gives me a lot of information about our ancestors and where we all came to live in the countries we live.
My hobbies and interest are playing football with my friends and the children game called hide and seek.
I have always wanted to be a teacher when I grow up.
Student ID# 143
Abraham Kuot A.
I am a Sudanese boy called Abraham Kuot A. I am 15 years old. I am in class7 in Timothy Primary School in Nakuru, Kenya. I usually walk to school every morning and return home after school.
I am the second born of my parents. I lost my father in the civil war that broke in my homeland Sudan and I was left with my mother and it was really hard for her to feed us let alone educate us.
My favorite subjects in school are Agriculture, Business studies and science. Farming was part of me since I have grown up in farming when I was young and I loved farming and that’s the reason I love agriculture.
In the near future I would wish to be an agriculture officer where I will be able to educate farmers on the best farming methods and all other necessities in farming.
Student ID# 140
Martha A.
My name is Martha; I am a girl from south Sudan. I am the second child of my parents. My fathers name is Majok and my mothers name is Ajith.
Before, my life revolved around cattle and other domestic animals and I never thought there was a better life than that of cattle keeping and cultivating land.
I am in class five. My best subjects are home science, English and Mathematics. I love cooking a lot and I want to own a bakery company in the future.
Student ID# 124
Roda A.
I was born in Southern Sudan in 1998. I love my parents since they have stood by me all those times. I lost both my parents.
Before, my life revolved around cattle’s and other domestic animals.
I am in standard three in Timothy Primary School, where I was brought by a village man who took me and placed me in school. I didn’t know school is so much fun.
My favorite subjects are agriculture, English and History. When I grow up, I would wish to be a banker.
Student ID #102
John N.
My name is John N. and I come from Sudan. I am 12 years of age; I was born in a village called Palek near Bor town, southern Sudan.
I am in Timothy primary school in class 3. I started my schooling after I was saved by my step-brother, Peter Herjok, from the hard situation where there is no school for me to learn.
I am the first born boy of my mother. My father has a large family of two wives and we are several children.
My favorite subjects are English, Geography and Business studies. I would like to be a business man in life.
Student ID #128
Achieng A.
My name is Achieng A., I am a Sudanese girl and I hail from South Sudan. I am the third child of my dear parents. I love my parents very much because they have showered me with love and they have given me the reason to aim higher.
My parents are Sudanese by nationality, they have been born and brought up in Sudan and they are still live in Sudan up to date. My parents lost all their properties during the civil war that engulfed our motherland.
I was brought to Kenya by a village man called Peter Herjok who volunteered to take me and assist me where he could.
I am very good in mathematics, science and agriculture. I get good grades in mathematics and I hope to be a university lecturer when I grow up. Outside school I play netball and cards.
Student ID#123
Daniel Deng A.
My name is Daniel Deng A. I am a Sudanese citizen, aged twelve years old. I was born in South Sudan in Bor in a clan called Palek, and later in the year 2004, I was taken by my uncle Peter Herjok Nyok and I live with his family up to date in Nakuru, Kenya.
I was the first child of my parents and they are both dead. My other siblings remained in my homeland (Sudan) with other relatives.
I am a bright student and I have always been position one since I joined school. I am a pupil at Timothy Primary School, Nakuru, Kenya in class four.
In school I love reading stories; my favorite subjects are English, Mathematics, Christian Religious Education (C.R.E) and Science. I think Math is easy even though most of my friends don’t agree. Math makes me think and helps me get solutions in real life because math is all about finding solutions.
I go on foot for thirty five minutes to get to my school every morning.
My dream career is being a lawyer.
Student ID# 138
Ayen M.
I am a young girl called Ayen M. I was born in Southern Sudan in 1999. I love my parents since they have stood by me all this time. But there is somewhere we disagree about education.
I am in standard three in Timothy Primary School .Where I was brought by a village man who took me and placed me in school. I didn’t know school is so much fun.
My favorite subjects are agriculture, English and History. When I grow up, I would wish to be an agriculture officer. I love working in the agriculture sector.
Student ID#122