The Only School for the Blind in Juba, South Sudan, Stands at a Crossroads

They have the talent and the drive. They just lack transport, food, and internet. Here's how our community can change that.

Imagine waking up at 5 AM in Juba, South Sudan, ready to walk miles to school—without a sidewalk, without a guide, and without the promise of a single meal when you arrive.

For 27 blind and visually impaired pupils at the Rejaf Educational Centre for the Blind, this is their daily reality.

Founded in 1982, Rejaf is the only institution in all of South Sudan dedicated to educating the visually impaired. Since 1987, it has operated out of a temporary compound, quietly achieving the extraordinary against overwhelming odds. But today, this lifeline is stretched to its breaking point.

As a Nebraskan NGO committed to supporting vulnerable communities in South Sudan, we believe that distance doesn't diminish our duty. Here is what we've learned about this incredible centre—and why they urgently need our help.

Despite operating with crumbling infrastructure, Rejaf's track record is nothing short of miraculous. In 1994, they made a bold pivot from simple rehabilitation to a full educational curriculum. The result? Tangible, life-changing success:

24 university graduates (19 males, 5 females) now hold Bachelor's degrees and diplomas, proving that visual impairment is never a barrier to intellect.
10 more students are currently enrolled at the University of Juba, with more on the way.
30 graduates have secured stable employment—some with the government, others with NGOs—breaking the cycle of dependency and poverty.

These numbers mean something. They are about lawyers, teachers, and civil servants who are rebuilding a broken nation. They are the proof that investment in inclusive education pays off.

However, this progress is fragile. The school faces significant challenges on a daily basis. The Centre's Head Teacher, Levi Sunday Clement, recently released an internal report detailing critical shortfalls.

If these are not addressed, he says, the school will struggle to stay open.

The report identifies 5 urgent challenges facing the Centre right now:

Transport for students and teachers: Teachers and pupils have no reliable vehicle to commute to the compound. For visually impaired children, walking through Juba's traffic is dangerous and exhausting. Additionally, they arrive late in school losing curriculum time leading to poor scores.
Internet and learning technology: The centre is digitally isolated. Without connectivity and digital learning tools, teachers cannot research modern teaching methods, and students cannot access digital learning tools available globally. Blind students do well when they use tech
No Feeding Program: Many pupils come from impoverished families raveged by the South Sudan conflict. Without a daily meal provided at school, children are trying to learn on empty stomachs, leading to poor concentration and dropouts.
Low Staff motivation: The teachers and staff work under extreme conditions. Without any "motivation in cash", delayed allowances teaching materials retention is becoming impossible.
Untrained Staff: The centre owns a Braille embosser but lacks the funds to train teachers to use it. As Head Teacher Levi Sunday Clement explained, "You have seen me writing, this is Perkin Braille it is manual, so it is very hard for us to transcribe. So, the braille embosser is going to help us in production." Without training, they cannot produce textbooks or exam papers for their pupils.

The school is also facing a gender crisis. Girls with visual impairment are not enrolling or transitioning.

Out of the 24 university graduates tha started their aducational journey at the Rejaf center, only 5 are female.

In the current primary and basic schools, girls are still outnumbered and at higher risk of dropping out.

FEOI’s partnerhip with Rejaf aims to bring more girls with visual impairment to enroll and transition. We aren't just funding education—we are committing to intentionally supporting and retaining girls with visual impairments, who face double the discrimination in South Sudanese society.

We can't solve everything overnight, but we can start somewhere. FEOI is stepping up to bridge the gap, but we need our community—right here in Nebraska, and across the world—to stand with us.

Here is where your generosity can make a direct, dollar-to-impact difference:

$25 buys essential Braille paper for one pupil for a term.
$150 provides a monthly incentive allowance to one dedicated teacher, keeping them at the blackboard.
$500 funds a 3-month feeding program for 10 children, ensuring they have the nutrition to learn.
$5,000 secures a reliable used transport van to shuttle students safely to and from the centre.

Even if you can't give financially, you can advocate. Share this article with your church, your workplace, or your book club. Write to your local representatives and ask them to support international disability inclusion efforts.

These 27 primary pupils dream of becoming the next university graduates. They have the grit, the teachers, and the desire. All they need is a little help from their global neighbors.

Will you answer the call?

Contact: For inquiries or to set up a recurring partnership, reach out to us directly here