Faces of Success: Abraham Marial Akech

This is the third in a series of profiles from students currently enrolled at Hope & Resurrection Secondary School. In May 2009, Form One and Form Two students wrote short autobiographies, sharing information about their families, livelihood and desire for education. We hope these glimpses of life in Southern Sudan will inspire you.

I am Abraham Marial Akech and I am 19 years old. I live in Rumbek East County, South Sudan. I have three younger brothers, John, Daniel and Matthew. John is in Primary 8, Daniel in Primary 4 and Matthew is in Primary 2. We all live happily with each other.

I always give them advice that they should put their efforts on education, because the time will come when illiterate people may not be considered as citizens of the country.

“Try to learn more and you will be good citizens who will heal Sudan, without discrimination. Then there will be no nepotism, decentralized ruling and other (issues) that affect unity and peace.”

My family keeps poultry and goats in Akot. They are helpful when hungry and can pay for our school fees.

I wake up early in the morning … and walk a long distance (about 40 km) to come to school at Hope & Resurrection. So long as our country is not developed, nobody can drive anyone to where he or she is going. Also, students aren’t helped by drivers. Our students are affected by the lack of transportation.

On Sundays, I go to church and then spend the afternoon with my family. They are proud of me, since I spend five days on schooling. I am excited to meet with my family on Saturday and Sunday.

When I complete my senior education I would like to go to university, but there are factors that could prevent that, like paying down my school fees. If I attended University, I would study to be an engineer, and to help my community in so many ways.

I praise Hope for Humanity for the support they have given Southern Sudan. I would like to keep their support on my mind until my death. I am so happy to receive schooling and studying. I have given my schooling to the hands of God, and I study hard to achieve my goals.

Support us, and we will rejoice in God’s hands.