International Anglican Aid

The deputy governor of the Bank of Sudan welcomed the launch of MannaMicrofinance in Juba on Tuesday March 29.  “Why do we want to be independent?” he asked. “We want to organize our own administration, we want to develop ourselves and be part of the world of nations. “ 

“But to be independent we must be able to work to feed ourselves,” he continued and identified that many of the people working in Juba were foreigners but not people of Southern Sudan.

Mannamicrofinance represented a way that people could develop their own work and small business to feed themselves. 

Bishop Enoch Tombe, acting on behalf of Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul who was called away at the last minute for peace talks in central Southern Sudan, reminded those attending from the Government, NGO’s, and churches that what was needed was also an attitude and culture change.  He identified tribal cultures that regarded selling one’s produce in the market as a sign that you were not able to live off your own land and resources and therefore of your low status.

From Kenya, Bishop Ole Sapit, representing a patron of AID, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala claimed that was in this area that the church would make a vital contribution in helping to change people’s attitudes. “Real and true development happens when people’s attitudes change.  The local church had three comparative advantages in this field.  The church was called and sent out with a mandate to serve.  It held a weekly assembly and had a volunteer spirit.

From South Africa, Pastor Fred May of the Shofar Church, leading a team of Christian investors visiting Southern Sudan for the first time, congratulated the Church of Sudan for surviving decades of ordeal and trial and noted that what God had done to enable them to emerge from darkness was an inspiration and vision for others. 

The Minister of Finance of Equatoria State in which Juba is set asked why this “Manna” had come from God so late after all their trials.  He realised that it came as the people of Southern Sudan were now beginning another journey of liberation, this time from poverty.