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
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes South Sudan as having some of the most alarming health outcome indicators globally.
- Teenagers have a greater chance of dying in childbirth than finishing school.
- Only 23% of expectant mothers receive antenatal care from a skilled health professional and fewer than 14% deliver in a health institution.
- The maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan stands at 789 per 100,000 live births – one of the highest rates in the world. In Australia, that same rate is 6 per 100,000.
- For every 50 babies born live, one mother dies in pregnancy.
- Neonatal and under-five mortality rates in South Sudan are 39.3 and 99.2 per 1000 live births respectively.
- One in five children do not live to the age of five.
- 2% of children under five are severely underweight.
- Communicable diseases are still one of the leading causes of death in South Sudan.
Confronted by these statistics, South Sudanese Health Matters is determined to make a difference.
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.
Sustainability & Expansion Strategy
The work of SSHMI will be undertaken in collaboration with the local community. SSHMI will oversee the roll out of each project, but it will be the local community that will be empowered to run each operation. Using a grassroots approach to help with long term sustainability; we will share the workload by way of contribution by locals as well as our project partners.
Building a fully equipped, locally managed primary health care clinic in Lou-Ariik Village in South Sudan is our focus over the coming months. With land already made available to us for this project, we aim to deliver a health care clinic with the support of the government, the local community, our supporters and donors.
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.
Values
We believe in equal rights for all, regardless of individual differences such gender, age, disability, etc. A person is a person, equally deserving of respect, attention and care.We are focussed on our goals and determined to attain them.
If we do not succeed the first time we try, we will not be discouraged; we will be stronger. We do what we do in the community because we care and will lead by example to encourage others to do the same.
Our approach is based on building trust with the community thereby demonstrating that their faith in, and support of, our initiatives is well-founded.In all our work, we act with sense of responsibility and high level of accountability – to our partners, supporters, community and ourselves.
Our team is committed and passionate about women’s rights and gender equality. We are eager and excited to take part in shaping the future of the feminist movement in Lou Ariik as part of global change makers.
Working with others is based on mutual respect and trust. Each of the people and organisations with whom we partner is expected to undertake their roles/tasks in line with our values.
We strive to do the right thing and to be honest in all our dealings and operations.