Our Work in South Sudan

In South Sudan, The Library Project provides Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Book Donations, and Literacy Programs to rural elementary schools and community libraries. These programs support children and youth living in rural communities by expanding access to books, strengthening school-based reading opportunities, and helping students build the literacy skills they need to continue learning.

Our Reading Rooms help schools and community libraries create dedicated spaces where students can read, explore books, and develop stronger reading habits. Our Reading Corners place age-appropriate books directly into classrooms, giving students regular access to reading materials where they learn. Our Book Donations provide additional resources for rural schools and community libraries, helping expand access to books in communities where reading materials may be limited.

The Library Project also provides Capacity Building for local literacy nonprofit organizations in South Sudan. This support is free of charge and may include one-on-one mentoring, planning tools, fundraising guidance, program development support, and access to practical resources. By strengthening local organizations, we help build long-term, community-led literacy impact.

Literacy in South Sudan

South Sudan faces one of the world’s most severe education challenges. UNICEF reports that more than 2.8 million children, or over 70 percent of the country’s children, are out of school. Some children are unable to attend regular classes because they live in pastoral communities and move with their families and cattle. Girls are especially affected, with poverty, child marriage, and cultural barriers limiting access to education.

Years of conflict, displacement, poverty, food insecurity, and climate-related disasters have placed significant pressure on South Sudan’s education system. Education Cannot Wait reports that violence and climate-induced disasters continue to prevent children from accessing safe, quality education, while many vulnerable children, including girls, internally displaced children, and children with disabilities, face the greatest barriers.

For children in rural communities, access to books, trained teachers, safe learning spaces, and consistent literacy support can be especially limited. These challenges make school libraries, classroom Reading Corners, community libraries, and locally led literacy programs important tools for helping children stay connected to learning.

Reading is the foundation for learning across all subjects. When students struggle to read, they are more likely to fall behind, lose confidence, and face greater barriers to continuing their education. The Library Project’s work in South Sudan responds to this need by supporting rural elementary schools and community libraries with Reading Rooms, Reading Corners, Book Donations, and Literacy Programs, while also strengthening local literacy nonprofit organizations through Capacity Building.