Libraries Without Walls: Improving Access to Quality Education for Children and Youth in Malakal, South Sudan

The $100,000 grant from 60 million girls to War Child is designed to promote sustainability by developing the ability of local teachers, community volunteers and partner staff (Upper Nile Youth Development Association – UNYDA) to incorporate digital technology into their lesson plans and pedagogical approach, while leveraging existing relationships with Ministries of Education to integrate the Mobile Learning Lab (MLL) into education programs. This MLL project will improve access to quality education for girls in South Sudan, where 76% of girls are out of school and the literacy rate is only 36%. The project will be integrated into WCC’s existing primary and secondary education programs in Malakal, Upper Nile. This innovative approach will increase quality of education, foster self-directed learning, improve critical thinking and enhance the supportive learning environment for girls. The project will work to address some of the barriers to girls’ education by incorporating weekly MLL classes (complementary to the curriculum) into WCC’s education programs, targeting a minimum of 50% girls, as well as providing classes to 200 girls who are out of school. In addition, boys and girls will learn from stories and games that feature females in a variety of professions and roles, promoting the value of girls’ education.