Overview
South Sudanese Health Matters (SSHM) is a non-government, non-political and non-profit organisation set up to improve the lives of the people of Lou-Ariik village – and the surrounding communities- via health initiatives.
The formation of this NGO was inspired and driven by Mawien Ariik who lost his father, an army general in Africa’s longest civil war, and came to Australia as a young refugee.
When Ariik returned to his home village as an adult and saw the sanitary conditions of his people and the ongoing health consequences, he was very sad. His father had fought and died for his people to be free however they were still suffering. Ariik and his friends in Melbourne decided to form SSHM to respond directly to the current health situation in Lou Ariik.
SSHM has recently delivered sanitary hygiene kits to girls and women in Lou-Ariik (and is committed to continuing to support this initiative) employing and training community health workers to educate the community about hygiene practices. This project, and its continuing delivery aims to improve health, increase confidence, and reduce school absenteeism.
Building, equipping, staffing, and maintaining a primary health care clinic is the next major project to be undertaken by SSHMI. Whilst in its early stages, this project, along with the recently deployed menstrual hygiene program will make a real difference with meaningful and long-term outcomes for the community.
History of South Sudan
The Republic of South Sudan is a country known for wars. During the Sudan war of 1983 – 2005, more than 2 million people were killed, and 4 million people were displaced. Villages, farms, animals, and property were burned and destroyed.
In a 2011 referendum, the people of South Sudan overwhelmingly voted for independence, leading to the birth of the world’s newest nation on 9 July 2011. Unfortunately, skirmishes continue between tribes, even after independence.
Lou-Ariik village
Lou-Ariik is a village of semi-nomadic Dinka people who rely on cattle for their livelihood, with some farmers to the north also growing maize, sorghum, and groundnuts.
The latest census is from 2008, at which time the village had an estimated population of 360,000 people, 75% of whom are under the age of 30.
In the village of Lou-Ariik, there are 64 clans, each ruled by a sub-chief, with one overall ruler being the Chief of Chiefs. There are no central services provided to the community i.e. no roads, no power, no sewerage connections, and no telephone connections or networks. However, it is anticipated that by late 2023 telephone and networks will be available. Water is sourced via wells, boreholes, river streams and open pools.
The closest town with a small hospital and mobile network is Warrap Town, about four hours by car or ten hours by foot. Wau, a further three-hour drive from Warrap Town, and nearly a week of walking from Lou Ariik Village is the nearest city with an airstrip and a teaching hospital.
In Lou-Ariik itself there are two primary schools, one in Longkap and the other in Mading. The nearest secondary school is also in Warrap Town, so those children in Lou-Ariik who are fortunate enough to be able to attend school usually do so via the under-tree school system.
Republic of South Sudan
Who are we?
Established in 2018, South Sudanese Health Matters Incorporated (SSHMI) is a non-government, non-political, not-for-profit organisation headquartered in Melbourne Australia, that aims to improve access to healthcare services and related education for people in the Lou Ariik area and surrounding villages in South Sudan.
Mission
To improve the health and life-chances of people living in the Lou Ariik Village and surrounding communities through the implementation of sustainable healthcare initiatives and health education programmes, promoting local workforce training and building capacity to deliver these services.
