The DBN has been actively working in Sudan through its primary partner since the past 10 years.  Its primary partner, the Don Bosco Society, entered Sudan in 1980 and since then has set up institutions in Khartoum, El Obeid, Wau, Tonj and Juba.  These institutions include Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), formal schools and primary schools in the villages.  It is a well recognized fact that all these institutions offer a service that is relevant as well as of a high standard. Here is a brief description of the sites and the work of the Don Bosco Society in Sudan:

1. Khartoum

>> Overview
Khartoum, situated at the junction between the Blue and the White Nile, is the Executive capital of Sudan. Together with Omdurman to the west and Khartoum North to the north, it forms Sudan's dominating urban centre. Omdurman serves as the legislative capital of Sudan. Khartoum is the administrative, economic and commercial centre for the whole of Sudan. It has 3 universities, the University of Khartoum, Nilayin University (formerly a branch of Cairo University) and Sudan University of Science and Technology.It is estimated that Khartoum has a population of 6-7 million (i.e. Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North), including around 2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

>> What does our local partner do
The Don Bon Bosco Society arrived in Khartoum in 1986 and initiated two educational centres, a Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in Khartoum’s Industrial Area and a Schooling Programme in the Kalakala area. The VTC has 850 students. These students include youngsters from the IDP camps and from the Juvenile Prison in the city. It offers courses in 8 different trades: masonry, auto-mechanics, carpentry, general mechanics, electricity, printing, welding and plumbing. A major objective of this VTC is to impart livelihood skills to the IDPs so that once they have a trade in hand they can return to their home villages in the South and make a decent living.  Similarly, training of the juvenile prisoners has as its aim their reintegration into mainstream society. In the Kalakala area Don Bosco runs 5 primary schools for the IDPs.  While 2 are housed in permanent structures, the other 3 are housed in temporary structures made from local materials.  This entire programme too focuses on enhancing the educational and economic status of the IDPs and hopes to achieve their eventual repatriation to the South.  
< TOP >


2. El Obeid

>> Overview
El Obeid is the capital of the state of North Kordofan in central Sudan.It is an important transportation hub: the terminus of a rail line, the junction of various roads and camel caravan routes, and the end of a pilgrim route from Nigeria. It is also the centre of the Gum Arabic trade, which is one of Sudan's important exports. The population of this town is majority Muslim with a small Christian presence. The town today boasts an international airport and an oil refinery. UNMIS has established its Logistics Base there. In February 1999, Mr. Ata El Sayed, the Governor of North Kordofan State, requested Rt. Rev. Anthony Menegazao the Bishop of El Obeid, to set up a Vocational Training Centre (VTC) at El Obeid.

>> What does our local partner do
The Don Bosco Society was invited by the Bishop to take up this offer, which it accepted in August of the same year.  Land for the VTC was purchased from the government and construction began immediately. The construction was partly funded by DBN member – Jugend Dritte Welt, Bonn. Even before the construction was completed the training courses were commenced on September 5, 2000, with 4 trades, namely, auto-mechanic, welding, masonry and plumbing. The VTC presently caters to 650 students, including 150 youngsters from the conflict ridden region of Darfur.  It has a staff of 40 persons and conducts courses in 7 different trades – auto-mechanics, general mechanics, carpentry, welding, masonry, plumbing and electricity. This Don Bosco VTC is known to offer high quality training and has even been named by the European Commission as a model VTC. 
< TOP >


3. Wau

>> Overview
Wau is a town in southern Sudan and the capital of the West Bahr al Ghazal state. It was originally established as a zariba (fortified base) by slave-traders in the 19th century, but became an administrative center during the time of Anglo-Egyptian condominium rule in Sudan and continues to remain an important town. During the Second Civil War it was a government-held garrison town and was the scene of extensive fighting. 

>> What does our local partner do
Don Bosco began its presence in Wau in 1986. For several years the situation was extremely difficult, even more so because the pioneers had to live in total isolation due to the complete breakdown of communications with the out side world. The years 1997-98 were the most harrowing because of the intense warfare and the accompanying scourge of starvation.  During those times the Salesians rendered heroic service to the suffering people and especially children. With the advent of peace, Don Bosco has been able to increase its services. It now runs a VTC where three different trades (general mechanics, carpentry, plumbing) are taught. There are also agricultural projects being promoted by the VTC.
< TOP >


4. Tonj

>> Overview
Tonj is a small town in the Warab state of Bahr el Ghazal region in South Sudan. This town was one of the strongholds of the SPLA during the civil war after it was captured by them in a surprise move in May 1997. Life in Tonj was a nightmare during those years because of the falling bombs and exploding shells and the presence of the Murahallin (mounted horse back raiders). Tonj became a town full of internally displaced people living in fear and misery. With the signing of the CPA, while the security situation has improved widespread poverty and misery continues.

>> What does our local partner do
The Don Bosco Society arrived in Tonj in 1982. They had to bear the full brunt of the civil war, including one of the members being abducted and held by the SPLA for 18 months.  In the face of all these extreme difficulties they have stuck to their work for the people in Tonj. Don Bosco now runs an educational programme in Tonj which consists of a Primary School (Class 1 to 8) for 1200 students and Educational Centres in the villages so as to make education easily accessible to the children.  Presently there are 6 such centres; but they plan to immediately initiate several other such centres. Another highly successful project run by Don Bosco is a Health Centre which attends to about 250 out-patients everyday. This is the only medical facility available to the people in the radius of 200 kilometres. 
< TOP >


5. Juba

>> Since November 2006
< TOP >