International Day of the Girl 2024
This year, Drop in the Bucket proudly took the lead in organizing a special celebration for the International Day of the Girl in South Sudan. With many international NGOs shifting their focus to the enormous influx of refugees due to the ongoing fighting in Sudan—displacing over 5 million people—DROP remains committed to advancing development projects in South Sudan, specifically focusing on girls’ education.
At DROP, we believe that education is the key to a brighter future. This year, we expanded our reach by adding four new primary schools to our program, bringing the total to nine schools. These schools serve as the foundation from which we select scholarship recipients each year. We are excited to announce that in 2024, we plan to award approximately 150 new scholarships to vulnerable and deserving girls, furthering our mission of empowering young women through education.
The event was a vibrant and inspiring celebration. The day kicked off with a parade through town, followed by cultural performances, including traditional dances, poems highlighting the importance of educating girls, and songs that carried messages of hope and resilience. One of the highlights was a heartwarming performance from one school, where the children sang about the economic hardships, shedding real tears as they spoke of the hunger they face—an emotional moment that resonated deeply with everyone present.
Presentations on the Dangers of Gender Based Violence
There were also powerful motivational speeches delivered throughout the day, focusing on the importance of staying in school, with messages for parents to discourage early marriage, a significant issue in South Sudan where adolescent marriage rates are high. Boys joined the conversation too, emphasizing the need to support girls and highlighting the dangers of gender-based violence.
An Introduction to the 7Bs”
One of the event’s most memorable moments was the introduction of a clever acronym shared by the students: “The 7 Bs—Books Before Boys Because Boys Bring Babies!” This playful yet poignant message was a reminder to the girls to prioritize their education and future over societal pressures.
Despite the challenges, the overall tone of the day was one of hope and inspiration, with a clear message that education can transform lives—not just for individuals, but for the country as a whole. At DROP, we are proud to continue championing girls’ education in South Sudan, and we look forward to supporting even more girls in the year ahead.
Together, we are making a difference—one girl, one school, one community at a time.
