Beginning in 2008, Southern Sudan Health Projects (SSHP) has been a collaborative mission initiative between the people of the United Methodist Church and the former Lost Boys of Sudan. It is an Upper New York Conference Advance Special, #966. This mission develops community-based health care in four villages through the work of eight Home Health Promoters in the Malek area of what is now South Sudan. The HHP’s are members of their respective communities.
The villages typically suffer from malaria, respiratory problems, typhoid, infections and diarrhea, with children under the age of five requiring the most help. With little medical care available in the country, South Sudan has some of the worst health conditions in the world.
The IMA World Health report from July 2023 says: “The humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dire with 70% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. The country is amongst the worst globally on key health indicators as it faces a catastrophic food crisis. Around 75% of all child deaths are due to preventable diseases…”
A news report on the conditions of Southern Sudan by ABC News anchor David Muir first aired April 19, 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4aKjbfPoZ4
Here is the translation to the video above:
The medicine has been brought again for the four villages. First there was $500 sent before and another $500 was sent. This is what we bought. The $500 that was bought we want to show that we do as you say. Even though it is little, we do what they expect of us. If we utilize it well, they will know that we used it wisely. Whatever starts little, it grows to be a bigger thing. The reason why we called you health workers together, that is why we will divide these medicines. When we grow trees, it starts with only one leaf and then the tree grows and starts to have more leaves and branches. We have a hope that this will grow and cover a bigger area.