SSIWEL - Press Information

Mission Statement:

The Mission of SSIWEL is to establish learning centers for women in Southern Sudan and in the other marginalized areas of Sudan in order to combat illiteracy and to improve the social, political and economic status of women.

South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and Leadership (SSIWEL) is an operational and advocacy nongovernmental organization (NGO).  SSIWEL will engage in designing and implementing educational projects as well as advocating for the well being of women, children and the disabled.  SSIWEL came into existence following the Government of Southern Sudan’s New Sudan Way Forward 2007 Conference in Washington, DC where concerns for women and girls’ education were addressed.

Education is considered the only solution to improve the social and economic conditions facing Southern Sudanese women in the globally changing environment, as well as the only mode to help promote the participation of women in every segment of development and capacity building in government and private sector in Southern Sudan.  The 25% allocated by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for women’s participation in leadership and governance must be represented by well-prepared Southern Sudanese women. Without education, the women of Southern Sudan will not be able to equally and equitably compete with the men and participate in the current changing and challenging global market fully, which requires a well rounded academic background, and related achievements.

Causes of Illiteracy:

War

The situation of women merits special attention as that segment of the population has continued to suffer disproportionately throughout two decades of civil war.

“Southern Sudan is characterized by years of underdevelopment, war, famine, drought and flood that have produced a crisis of enormous proportions across the region.”

Although the humanitarian situation has changed following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on January 9, 2005, still the overall demand for education, food production, security, basic health and social services, well-built infrastructure, income generation and capacity building is tremendous.  In addition to the tragedy of lost lives, lost opportunities, destruction of infrastructure ( http://www.iri.org/africa/sudan/pdfs/IRISudanWomensAssessment.pdf), the need for basic education, sanitation and health care still remains and calls for our attention and contribution. It is only through education that these needs can be addressed and met.

According to United Nations’ 1993 census on Sudan:

“Illiteracy is…  very high, particularly in Southern Sudan which has the lowest ratio of female to male primary school enrolment in the world, with three times as many boys as girls attending school, and a female youth illiteracy rate (ages 15-24) of 84 percent.  It is estimated that 90% of women in Southern Sudan are illiterate.  Nearly half (46 percent) of girls aged 6-16 years in rural northern Sudan states have never attended school”.

World Bank (1991) statistical estimate for life expectancy at birth among Sudanese women from both north and south was 59.1 to 51.2 a clear reflection of discrepancies between Northern and Southern Sudan. The situation was made worse by the impact of the prolonged conflict.  Ms. Lona Elias own words, “The Decades of under-development and conflict have left South Sudanese women…“the poorest of the poor and the marginalized of the marginalized.” Severe gender disparity is manifest in access to education and health and differential life expectancy. Only 5% of births are attended by skilled health staffs and maternal mortality is high”. Therefore, SSIWEL strives to invest in the education of women in the area of health public health and other related fields.

During the two decades of war, while men were tasked to militarily liberate the country, women were left to raise the family, take care of the elderly, and nurture the wounded despite the fact that some women joined the military. They had no opportunity to go to school.  Young women born and raised during this period of our history were married young with no education to fend for themselves and families. Most of them married military personnel, had many children to raise, lost their husbands during the war and today have no one to lean upon. Education is the only way to help these women recover from these lost opportunities to become economically stable, politically strong and legally and customarily cognizant of their rights in the society.

Culture

Gender roles in southern Sudan have been shaped by culture, social and economic underdevelopment. Women spend their time doing domestic chores such as fetching water, manually grinding grain, and cooking food, all of which allow little time for other activities. The patriarchal culture imposes restraints on women’s participation outside their homes. These customs define what constitutes a woman’s role in Southern Sudanese society.  Education will open the opportunity for women to improve their standard of living. SSIWEL seeks to help these women develop their talents to the fullest and help shape the direction our country takes. “To educate a woman you educate a nation”.

Women and girls of Southern Sudan are highly disadvantaged by culture and the 21 years of civil war, which took its toll on them when left behind to attend to families and relatives’ needs while their fathers, husbands and uncles were in the front line fighting the enemy. Furthermore, the young girls never had a chance or were forced to drop out of school either for culturally arranged marriage/s or due to lack of funds to send them to school. In a situation where families experience tight family budget, it is a traditional norm to ask the girls to drop out of school to give an opportunity for their male siblings to continue.

For the girls who managed to attend school, there were many challenges waiting them in both home and school that hinder their performances such as sexual harassment by male teachers; the monthly periods where they have to stay away from school until it stops because they have no sanitation pads to wear while in public places such as schools. After school, girls are expected to go home and help their mothers with housework, for example, cooking, fetching water from distant streams to bath their siblings and for household use. At the end of the day these girls have no time left for school assignments. After long hours of work both in school and home, they would feel exhausted and ready to sleep. The routine continues every day until the academic year is over. At the end, most girls fail not because they are not intelligent but because of how the society and culture treat them in relation to boys.

Vision of SSIWEL:

According to United Nations:

“In order that women are central to the reconstruction effort in Sudan, critical support and investment in actions that promote and protect women's rights and strengthen women's leadership at all levels is essential.  Sudanese women play an integral role in the reintegration effort for returning displaced populations of refugees, internally displaced persons and demobilized combatants.  The planned reconstruction effort in the areas of education, health, infrastructure and development demands attention to the roles, responsibilities and situation of women.  Current data shows that Sudanese women, especially women from the south, continue to live in conditions of extreme poverty; the difficulty of their situation compounded by high levels of illiteracy and limited access to basic social services including health care, food and water”.

Concerned with lack of education as a barrier for women of Southern Sudan and other marginalized areas of the Sudan who missed the opportunity to attain basic education, particularly during the 21 years of Civil War, SSIWEL seeks to promote the standard of women by providing basic education through an adult education program.  Women will learn to read and write and will participate in short and long-term career courses developed according to the needs of the women.  Right now many women in Southern Sudan are experiencing difficulties finding work because of a lack of experience and education to help them discover their hidden abilities. By giving these women the ability to read and write, it will inspire them and open doors for many to discover their talents and to find careers. It will be like learning how to drive instead of being driven.
 
SSIWEL seeks to strengthen the capacity of Southern Sudanese women through education at grassroots and national level. Through academic empowerment, the women will be in position to economically and culturally change their status in society by influencing economic, political and social policies that affect and discriminate against women. Women will have the opportunity to read laws and regulations that define their legal rights and seek social justice in an event the laws are used against them. Women account for about 65% of the Sudanese population, and yet they have been intellectually, economically, and politically marginalized throughout the country.  Education will strengthen the role of women in leadership, equity and peacemaking, human rights initiatives, political empowerment and awareness in public health issues.

Bylaws of the South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and leadership

by SUNDAY WANI 12/28/2008

ARTICLE I:
NAME
1.1 Name. The name of the of the corporation shall be “South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and Leadership” (SSIWEL)

1.2 Registered Office. The registered office of South Sudan Institute of Women’s Education and Leadership is that set forth in its Articles of Incorporation. The office bearers tasked with the responsibilities of the administrative office may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors of SSIWEL according to the terms and situations.
1.3 Principal Office. The principal office SSIWEL shall be located in the according to the article of incorporation or as is designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
2.1 Definitions. The following words, when used in these Bylaws, or in any amendment to these Bylaws, shall have the following meanings (unless the context clearly states otherwise):

2.1.1
“SSIWEL” shall mean and refer to the “South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and Leadership” an organization founded by Southern Sudanese women to combat illiteracy following the period of over 22 years of civil war where most women had no opportunity to education or skill training. An organization founded for Women of Southern Sudan Regions and other marginalized areas and owner of the trademarks “South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and Leadership “SSIWEL.”

2.1.2
“SSIWEL” shall mean and refer to South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and Leadership Inc.

2.1.3
“Chapter” shall mean and refer to a branch of SSIWEL created in a location far from the main office and is an affiliate of South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and Leadership Inc.

SSIWEL Branch Chapters are not-for-profit Corporation organized under the Provisions of the States where the chapters are registered and function.

2.1.4
“Board” or “Board of Directors” shall mean and refer to the Board of Directors of SSIWEL including Branch Chapter/s.

2.1.5
“Director” shall mean and refer to a Member of the Board of Governors of SSIWEL Inc including the Branch Chapter/s.

2.1.6
“Officer” shall mean and refer to the President, the Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer,

2.1.7
“Member” shall mean and refer to board members of SSIWEL Inc. or Branch Chapter/s.

2.1.8
“Bylaws” shall mean and refer to these Bylaws for South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and Leadership, as they will be amended from time to time to meet the needs of the SSIWEL as it grows.

ARTICLE III

VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 Vision. The Vision of SSIWEL is to support literacy initiative in Southern Sudan and other areas in order to create an academic environment to improve social and economic status of women in Southern Sudan and other needy areas in the country to combat illiteracy among women of all ages especially girls and other objectives that support the education of the women in Southern Sudan.
.

3.2 Mission. The Mission of SSIWEL is to establish learning centers for women in Southern Sudan and in other marginalized areas of Sudan in order to create an academic environment to combat illiteracy and to improve the social, political and economic status of women.
.

3.3 Goals and Objectives:
Goals and Objectives:

The goal of SSIWEL is to build three learning centers in Juba, Wau and Malakal regions.

Objectives of SSIWEL:

• To develop materials and teaching methods to help these women read and write in English, Arabic and other native languages.
• To establish short and long term career courses
• Have leadership training and workshops, and discussions for all women groups

ARTICLE IV
POLICIES
4.1 Policies. SSIWEL Policies shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan.

ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5.1 Board of Directors.

5.1.1
The initial Governors/Directors of SSIWEL are named in the Articles of Incorporation.

5.1.2
Only SSIWEL Supporters may be elected to serve as Directors.

5.1.3
Each SSIWEL Director shall serve until his or her successor is elected and takes office at the close of SSIWEL annual meeting or at a special meeting called for the purpose of electing a director.

5.1.4
SSIWEL Directors may be reelected and may serve unlimited consecutive terms.

5.1.5
All SSIWEL officers shall serve as ex-officio members of the Board of Directors during their terms as officers. Once officers leave office, they are permitted to seek election as SSIWEL directors.

5.2 Powers of Directors. The Board of Directors shall determine the policies and activities of the Corporation or Branch Chapter, approve the annual Plan of events and expenditures, authorize disbursements, take counsel with committees and have general management of the SSIWEL Incorporation and Branch Chapter and its affairs. The Board of Directors may enter into contracts and may employ, or authorize the employment of, paid personnel and fix the terms and conditions of such employment.

5.3 Number and Election. The SSIWEL Board of Directors shall consist of no less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15) Members (including the Officers) as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Directors shall be elected at the SSIWEL annual meeting of the Board Members or any special SSIWEL meeting called for the purpose of electing a Director should the number of Directors fall below the minimum required.

5.4 Meeting of Directors.
5.4.1
Regular meetings of SSIWEL Board of Directors shall be held at such time and place as the Board of Directors may choose. No notice shall be required of regular meetings.

5.4.2
Special meetings of SSIWEL Board of Directors may be called on by the President or any Director with the provision of two (2) business days notice via letter, email, telephone, facsimile or verbal message to each Director.

5.4.3
Attendance of SSIWEL Directors at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

5.5 Voting of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws:

5.5.1
A majority of SSIWEL Directors in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

5.5.2
Each SSIWEL Director is entitled to one vote.

5.5.3
The acts of a majority of the SSIWEL Directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the Board of Directors.

5.6 Powers of Directors. All powers SSIWEL Inc. shall be exercised by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and all the business affairs of SSIWEL shall be supervised by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors shall have the power to conduct and manage the affairs and business of the Corporation and shall make all major policy decisions of SSIWEL.

5.7 Removal of Directors/Resignation. Subject to the provisions of not-for-profit corporation of the State where the principle office or the state where Branch Chapter is established; any or all of the Directors may be removed by a majority vote of the Board, provided there is a quorum of not less than a majority present at the meeting of Directors at which such action is taken. A Director may resign his or her position by tendering a written notice to all of the other Directors, which shall take effect immediately upon the receipt of such notice by any of the Directors.

5.8 Compensation and Reimbursement. SSIWEL Board of Directors shall not receive any compensation or Remuneration for their services as directors. However, Directors shall be entitled to receive from SSIWEL or its Branch Chapter reimbursement for the reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, as determined by the Board.

5.9 Employees and Consultants as Directors. Directors are eligible to be consultants, vendors and/or employees of SSIWEL and to receive fair and adequate, compensation for their services as such. Payment for such services shall not be deemed inconsistent with Section 5.8, above.

5.10 Place and Time of Meeting of the Board. Any meeting of SSIWEL’s Board, regular or special, may be held at any place within or without the Principle office or the Branch Chapter/s’ state location/s and Directors shall receive notice of the place and time of the meeting of the Board in person or via telephone, email, facsimile or mail.

5.11 Adjourned Meetings. A majority of SSIWEL Directors present at any meeting of the Board, including an adjourned meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn the meeting to another time and place. Notice of any adjourned meeting of the Board shall be given to all Directors whether or not present at the time of the adjournment. Any business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

5.12 Informal Action. Any action which may be taken at a meeting by SSIWEL’s Directors may be taken without a meeting if written consent setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by all of the Directors and shall be filed with the Secretary of SSIWEL or Branch Chapter.

5.13 Telephone Participation in Meetings. One or more SSIWEL Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, by means of a conference telephone call, provided that all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.

5.14 Written Consent. Any action required to be taken by the SSIWEL Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all the members of the Board shall individually or collectively consent in writing, including by email, to such action. Such written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board, and such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Directors.

ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
6.1 Executive Committee. SSIWEL Executive Committee shall consist of the following officers:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary

In the case of a vacancy of office, the remaining officers shall fulfill the duties of the vacant office until a successor is appointed by the SSIWEL Board of Directors to the vacant position.

6.2 Election. Only SSIWEL Members may serve as Officers. Candidates for office shall be nominated by one of the Directors and elected at the annual meeting by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

6.3 Duties of Officers.

6.3.1 President. SSIWEL President shall be the chief executive officer of SSIWEL and shall in general supervise and control all the business and affairs of SSIWEL Inc. The
President shall implement the policies formulated by the Board of Directors. The
President shall preside at all meetings of SSIWEL Inc., unless he or she is unable, in which event the Vice President shall preside. The President shall be an ex-officio Member of all committees and shall appoint all committee Members unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws. The President may, together with the Secretary, execute on behalf of SSIWEL Inc. any contract or other written instruction to which SSIWEL Inc is a party. The President shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these bylaws or assigned to him by SSIWEL Inc or by the Board of Directors and shall coordinate the work of all Officers and committees of SSIWEL in order that the purposes of SSIWEL may be promoted.

6.3.2 Vice President. SSIWEL Vice President shall act as an aide to the President and shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of that Officer to act. The Vice President shall maintain the Chapter Membership. The Vice President shall forward on a monthly basis any address changes of Members in the Chapter to the national office in order to facilitate the national office’s recordkeeping and monthly exchange of SSIWEL Inc Membership information with all Branch Chapters.

6.3.3 Secretary. SSIWEL Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the Board Members. The Secretary shall give notice of all meetings to the Directors and
Members entitled to be notified, as specified in these Bylaws. The Secretary shall have custody of all books, records and papers of SSIWEL Inc except when any of such documents shall be maintained by the Treasurer or some other person authorized to have such custody. The Secretary shall keep a correct and permanent record of the SSIWEL Inc and Branch Chapters contact list, including Board Members, maintain appropriate and accurate accounts and records of all Branch Chapter activities. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the President or the Board of Directors.

6.3.4 Treasurer. SSIWEL Treasurer shall have custody of all of the funds and securities of SSIWEL Inc and see that they are deposited in such banks or trust companies as the
Board of Directors shall designate. The Treasurer shall have entered regularly a full and accurate account of all monies received and disbursed by SSIWEL Inc., together with such other reports as he or she may from time to time be called upon to do by the President or the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall make disbursements as authorized by the President or the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall make a full financial report at the annual meeting of the all SSIWEL Members and at such other times as the President or the Board of Directors may require. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance of all accounts and financial records. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation and filing of income tax returns and other corporate filings required by the state government, through Taxation and Revenue Department and the Internal Revenue Service, which he or she may perform or may delegate to another Officer or to a certified public Accountant to perform as determined by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of dues and all other funds (except those designated by the Board of Directors to be collected otherwise) and the deposit of such funds in appropriate Chapter accounts. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the President or the Board of Directors.

6.4 Terms.
6.4.1 The terms. The terms of the Initial Officers shall be as follows:

• The initial President’s term shall commence immediately and expire on

December 31 after two years of service in SSIWEL Executive Office

• The initial Vice President’s term shall commence immediately and expire on

December 31 after two years of service in SSIWEL Executive Office

• The initial Secretary’s term shall commence immediately and expire on

December 31 after two years of service in SSIWEL Executive Office

• The initial Treasurer’s term shall commence immediately and expire on

December 31 after two years of service in SSIWEL Executive Office

6.4.2 Term Expiration. After the expiration of the terms of the initial Officers, the terms of the subsequent Officers shall be as follows:

• The President shall serve a two-year term;
• The Vice President shall serve a two-year term;
• The Secretary shall serve a two-year term; and
• The Treasurer shall serve a two-year term.

6.4.3 Tenure of Service. Each SSIWEL Officer may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position.

6.5 Interim Officers and Vacancies

6.5.1 Each SSIWEL Officer shall continue to serve in his or her office after his or her term expires until the time that his or her successor is duly elected and takes office.

6.5.2 In the event an Officer resigns, SSIWEL Board of Directors shall either direct the remaining officers to fulfill the duties of the vacant office until the next annual meeting or appoint a Member as an interim officer to serve the remainder of the departed Officer’s term. Until such time that the vacant office is filled, the remaining
Officers shall perform the duties of the vacant office.

6.6 Resignations. Any SSIWEL Officer may resign at any time by written notice to the President or Secretary. The resignation shall be effective immediately upon receipt of such notice by the President or the Secretary.

6.8 Forwarding Documents. Officers shall deliver to their successors all official material and documents not later than two weeks (l4 days) following the election of their successors or immediately upon resignation.

ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
7.1 Creation of Committee and Appointment. SSIWEL Board of Directors may adopt a resolution by a majority vote to establish such committees as the Board deems necessary to aid SSIWEL in carrying out its activities. The Board shall appoint one at most two (2) Directors to serve on each committee. Chapter committees shall report to the Board of Directors and may be altered at any time by the Board of Directors.

7.2 Authority of Committee. Each committee shall have and exercise all of the authority delegated to it by the Board as specified in the resolution establishing the committee.

7.3 Vacancies. A vacancy in any committee shall be filled by appointment by the President.

ARTICLE XIII
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING

8.1 Fiscal Year. The Fiscal year of SSIWEL Inc. shall begin January 1st to December 31st (opened for changes).

8.2 Accounting. The Board of Directors shall install and maintain an efficient system of accounts.

8.3 Annual Budget. SSIWEL Board of Directors shall, by a majority, vote, adopt and pass a budget no later than two months after the induction of the new Board each year, or January 31st whichever occurs first. The budget shall contain a statement of the current budget surplus or deficit and shall list the planned appropriations as well as anticipated revenues, if known at the time, for the fiscal year. SSIWEL Board of Directors shall be permitted to make appropriations not listed in the budget as long as the appropriations do not exceed the gross amount of the annual budget.

8.4 Disbursements. All SSIWEL disbursements shall be made by voucher checks, which shall show the payee, the items of service rendered or materials purchased and the amount of payment. Disbursements shall not exceed the gross amount of the annual budget, except as approved by formal action of a majority of the Board of Directors.

8.5 Deposits and Institutions. The SSIWEL Board of Directors shall designate the depositories of all funds of the SSIWEL Inc.
 
8.6 Signatures. SSIWEL Board of Directors shall have the power to authorize which Officers and employees, besides the Treasurer, may execute voucher checks. Such changes and/or additions shall be made in an appropriate timeframe with the proper institution. When those designated to sign checks are unable to perform their functions, the Board of Directors shall designate substitutes.

8.7 Audit. The SSIWEL Board of Directors may provide for the audit of SSIWEL Incorporation’s accounting systems, provided that such audit will be performed only by a qualified certified public accountant.

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
9.1 Amendments. The SSIWEL Board of Directors may amend these Bylaws by a majority vote of Board.

9.2 SSIWEL Notification. A copy of the bylaws and any amended bylaws shall be submitted to SSIWEL national office for its records.

ARTICLE X
NATIONAL AFFILIATION
10.1 Responsibilities. SSIWEL Inc shall undertake to perform to the fullest extent practicable those responsibilities defined within SSIWEL’s Bylaws, its Guidelines and
Minimum Standards of Service for SSIWA Inc. SSIWEL’s activities shall be
Compatible with the policies and objectives of SSIWEL Inc, and on notice from the SSIWEL Board of Directors, shall cease conducting those activities deemed by the latter to be incompatible, unless such cessation would result in a violation of the SSIWEL’s Articles of Incorporation or the laws of the States where the principle office and Brach Chapters are located.

10.2 Reporting. SSIWEL’s Board of Directors shall provide for the prompt delivery of all reports requested by SSIWEL Inc.
10.3 Outstanding Debts. SSIWEL’s Board of Directors shall provide for the prompt payment of all indebtedness owed by SSIWEL Inc.

10.4 Representation. As far as possible, the proper delegates from SSIWEL shall represent the Incorporation at all appropriate conferences and meetings organized by SSIWEL. The Board of Directors shall make provision for the expense of representation at such events in preparing the budget of the SSIWEL or Branch Chapters.

ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION
10.1 Dissolution. SSIWEL may be dissolved only after its Board of Directors meet and is adopted by a vote of a majority of the Board, for a resolution recommending that the corporation be dissolved; approval of the dissolution will be granted by SSIWEL. The Board shall follow the dissolution procedures set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.
These SSIWEL bylaws are ADOPTED on January 22nd 2009 by the Board of Directors of South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and Leadership.
Executed by:

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT:
SSIWEL plans to carry a pilot project for collecting information on the status of women/mothers in need of basic education as part of SSIWEL’s initiate project in starting its educational project in Southern Sudan. The project will have two phases: Teacher’s Training in Juba and voters education in Abyei. The overall objective of this pilot project is to test the feasibility of women willing to participate and begin their basic education. The project will assist SSIWEL in data collection, analysis and utilization; and to incorporate socioeconomic status of these women to inform SSIWEL how to help them best and examine its objectives in meeting these challenges. The pilot project will investigate how to assist women with children who desire to attend school without worrying about who cares for their children. One known huddle to women’s education is the responsibility of taking children.  SSIWEL wants to create a learning environment conducive to women with children. The collected data will help SSIWEL make an informed decision and consideration in these areas that affect women’s participant in the project. 
The Goal of SSIWEL Pilot Project:
SSIWEL is a Diaspora based project developed to aid in literacy initiatives for the women of Southern Sudan and other marginalized areas. This pilot project plans to bring the group in Diaspora face to face with their sisters in need of education in South Sudan in a learning environment as it is the core objectives of the organization. The project will touch one leadership aspect by offering leadership training for women in understanding their democratic rights to vote in 2009 election and the Referendum in 2011. The Diaspora group will benefit a lot in this project development in Southern Sudan by coming head on with the challenges on the ground. Knowledge of the problem is facing the women the key in designing the appropriate project for them.  
Objectives
SSIWEL’s first pilot project although is meant for teacher’s training and voter’s education, it helps the organization collect information viable information about women’s education including socioeconomic. The presence of the members in Juba will help them meet the right people to establish the office in Juba or Abyei. The project has three immediate objectives: 

• To collect information on women about their educational needs and their socioeconomic status data collection for  financial analysis and utilization in meeting their individual needs
• To offer teacher’s training for women willing to help with the project
• Offer leadership class in women’s democratic rights to vote

It has two intermediate objectives:

• To help SSIWEL in its general views on educational concerns as it plans some projects in the future and to improve its technical capacity and planning through the data collection and analysis and take timely action in prioritizing individual projects and
• To evaluate the socioeconomic status of each woman who registers for classes and develop a program to assist individuals in meeting their educational needs as well as establish ways to a standardized the course materials according to the Southern Sudan Educational curriculum nutritional and socioeconomic database at the central level from which trends can be monitored, and vulnerability maps drawn up, on a continuous basis to assist in food security planning.

SSIWEL Pilot project implementation Region
Juba, Central Equatoria State, is selected for the implementation of the first part of the project: The teacher’ training because it is the first city SSIWEL plans to start its literacy program and build the first center. The second part of the project: Voters’ education will be in Abyei area to teach both men and women of Abyei importance of voting as their votes are important in the upcoming 2009 and 2011 elections. The people of Abyei need to be prepared to discern the way forward to either vote for Unity of Separation comes 2011 and women are integral part of this crucial discernment phase.
In these two different phases of the project, SSIWEL will have also the opportunity to assess its leadership training objectives in Southern Sudan to allow the board to prioritize the training according to demand.
Pre-requisite/Methodology of Selecting Candidates:
Participants in the project will be limited to adult women ages 16 or older. The teachers training is opened to high school leaves to college degree women who desire to be teachers. The candidates must be fluent in either English or Arabic and excels in a basic mathematics since the first aim of the project is to teach reading, writing and mathematics. SSIWEL will borrow the curriculum of AID to Sudan under the leadership of Ms. Barbara Crossman. The women of southern Sudan are good in working with their hands “handcrafts”. SSIWEL will introduce handcraft activities in the project to keep the women do something they are good at and enjoyable.
House-Hold Censes
House hold censes will be conducted with the participants in this project to help us understand the financial needs of individual women. The questionnaires will be developed specially to get information about the number of people in the family, their family income, educational level etc. How many women within the family setting have gone to school and what are their levels of education etc? SSIWEL’s pilot project will start with a small sample size of women and it will develop as it progress to meet more women as Sudan is a vast country and it will take a while to get the right information and statistics about women and their educational needs. It is worth mentioning
SSIWEL Membership Types
SSIWEL has more than one membership type: Individual, student and partnership.
Individual Membership
SSIWEL members enjoy many opportunities to get involved at the grassroots level and contribute to the success and well-being of SSIWEL. As a member you will gain access to a number of exclusive resources such as:

• A subscription to SSIWEL’S membership benefits such as membership card…
• Discount…
• Regular SSIWEL Membership e-update on development and breaking news and reports from policy experts and staff
• Invitations to participate in SSIWEL program, workshops and symposium
• Participate in professional development opportunities with current and former leaders in academics and other areas nation wide
• Briefings
• Participate in other major functions in connection with members of like-minded NGOs

Membership in SSIWEL is your ticket/gateway to greater participation in many SSIWEL affairs. Become a member SSIWEL today! Your support will help provide SSIWEL with the resources necessary to continue our important work. Together we can ensure that with YOUR unconditional support and the support of other God loving and good willing individuals like you, we can give knowledge to the women of Southern Sudan as a driving force toward SSIWEL motto of “To Educate a Woman is to educate a Nation”, and Learning is indisputably lifelong.
Student Membership
SSIWEL Student Alliance: SSIWEL seeks to engage American, International, Southern and Sudanese students by creating a nationwide and International network of motivated individuals, student advocacy groups, international affairs clubs, and domestic youth groups who stand in solidarity in supporting SSIWEL its quest to for women literacy initiatives in Southern Sudan and the marginalized areas. The group will collectively advocate for the support of SSIWEL in making the voices and needs for the education of women in war torn regions of southern Sudan are heard and supported, make sure their opinions and personal stories are heard amongst their peers, in their communities, especially colleges and Universities, and across the nations.
SSIWEL welcomes students of all ages to participate in SSIWEL initiatives and educational programs regardless of gender, religious affiliations and race. Through the Student Alliance program, SSIWEL will launch an interactive website focused on engaging students. The website will guide students through all that SSIWEL has to do to provide opportunities for direct participation in the literacy, through voluntary services and internships in a long run. The SSIWEL Student Alliance program will offer or specific quarterly participation by college students that support SSIWEL Literacy Initiatives to raise awareness, advocacy and fundraising through voluntary service and internship programs. Students will participation throughout the school year in activities such as building a personal philanthropic home page, sharing SSIWEL news with  friends and colleagues, and participating in local SSIWEL Literacy initiatives and activities which allow each member to earn academic credits or non credit towards his/her college degree or just a volunteer recognition certificate.
SSIWEL Student Alliance participants will have opportunities to coordinate programs between SSIWEL organization and their communities, individual or specific academic institutions that support SSIWEL literacy efforts in the Sudan and network with other academic organization, state officials and international organizations and dignitaries who support women’s literacy efforts in third world, Sudan in General and Southern Sudan and other marginalized areas in particular.
For information on how to become a part of SSIWEL Student Alliance or more on SSIWEL Student Alliance, check back soon.  For Information on SSIWEL visit:
SSIWEL-NGO Partnership Program:
The SSIWEL Partnership is a program that affiliates SSIWEL with other non-profit organizations (NGOs) that share a common interest with SSIWEL Literacy Initiatives. The partnership is opened to regional, national and International organizations which champion education and socio-economic empowerment of women in third world countries. SSIWEL Board members will work with these organizations to make sure they understand the literacy needs of the women of Southern Sudan, specifics of the projects of SSIWEL Literacy initiatives and how to support these initiatives. The SSIWEL NGO Partnership will educate the public and share with other NGOs Literacy challenges and needs of the women in the Sudan, SSIWEL’S achievements and failures and the need to strengthen SSIWEL efforts. SSIWEL will provide members with ability to coordinate and advocate for the education of women in South Sudan and like areas.
SSIWEL- NGOs Council of Members:
SSIWEL Council of Members will compose of the representatives from the NGO partnership groups, and their functions will be are:

• To provide Council members with a network strategic partnership at all levels and access to vast network of professionals and resources
• To provide a platform to a wide array of viewpoints and problem analysis, NGO experts in literacy and other fields of capacity building and development
• To share information, ideas, suggestions and programs to facilitate joint action by like-minded NGO representatives
• To alert members through e-action Network and other channels about government activities that affect development
• To offer network opportunities through NGO Community network contacts
• To offer free subscription to NGO partnership e-newsletter update, news update, advocacy material and resources, news items, announcement about government or new policies and more
• To provide SSIWEL opportunity to highlight its mission and activities through listserves, flyers and publications
• To offer leadership opportunity

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Membership in SSIWEL-NGO Partnership is open to all Southern Sudan and US- based, 501(c) (3) not-for-profits, or International organizations interested in supporting SSIWEL. If your not-for-profit organization/s would like to apply for SSIWEL-NGO Partnership membership, please complete our membership application.