South Sudan: Children full of joy at independence

Children in South Sudan prepare for their role in the independence celebration

From our Plan office I could hear the singing and the sound of the band.  Curiously I set out to see what was afoot. Arriving at the school I found hundreds of South Sudanese youngsters going through their final routines in preparation for the big day on Saturday. They had the full mixture. Synchronised movements, marching, and of course the national anthem in full voice.  All of them tremendously excited to be chosen to participate in the Independence Day celebration.

As we stood there in the steamy heat, a passing cloud dumped a heavy rain shower over the assembled crowd. The onlookers all fled to the shelter of the nearby school buildings. The military band scrambled to protect their brass instruments. The children, however, stood solid in their formations under strict instructions that their practice must be perfect for the most important day in their lives. Fortunately, the dampening effect of the rain shower was short-lived. In 10 minutes the band was back, and the practice was again in full swing.

I felt excited for the children. This was something incredibly special - the birth of their new nation. Even more than that, I was imagining the millions of children who can now live in peace and achieve their potential. I thought back to the dark and difficult days of 1991 when I first worked on Operation Lifeline. The war was raging. Children were scattering in all directions to save their lives. Many ended up in refugee camps and some even found sanctuary as far away as my own country of Australia.

For these children standing in lines practicing for their part in history, and for the many other children across South Sudan, I wish you all the best for this new beginning.

I know my organisation Plan International will be with you over the coming years. We have already rebuilt Juba Technical College together and we will go on doing everything we can to help every child achieve their full potential.

Plan International Australia CEO Ian Wishart was in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, for the independence ceremony.