The situation has been described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, but has been left ignored by many organisations in favour of dealing with the conflict in Darfur. Despite signing a peace agreement with the North in 2005, the current circumstances for the people of Southern Sudan remain critical, with over 350,000 people being displaced, and five million requiring humanitarian assistance. The youth of Southern Sudan are growing up in a cycle of constant violence, unable to break free and help their region rejuvenate itself. Without education for the next generation, the situation perpetuates itself, without any chances of subsiding. Education can provide not only a single individual with an opportunity to support him or herself, but can provide an entire region or country with the opportunity to carry itself out of this hardship, with a new generation of leaders.

The RET projects in Southern Sudan have concentrated upon improving the quality and access to education, maintaining local community-based efforts and positively impacting schools, students and teachers alike. Ten secondary schools were targeted, whereby each was allocated funds and assistance to provide materials, furniture, scientific apparatus, computers and printers, teacher and head-teacher transport incentives, food, and rent for the premises. Beneficiaries of the project were mainly IDPs, with some refugees from Ethiopia and the DRC.