Our Vision

“As someone who has personally lived through the challenges and traumas that refugees and immigrants face, I want their voices to be heard, their stories to be told."

I was born in Wau, a village near the Nile River in South Sudan. My childhood was destroyed by the country’s second civil war that lasted from 1983 to 2005. Our family had to flee our home, taking only what we could carry. But we were among the lucky ones. There were mass killings, widespread famine; over a million people died in this conflict.

For the next two decades I was a refugee, living stateless in shared homes, run-down apartments, often on the move, scared and never certain whether the next destination would be safe.

Despite our difficult times, my mother, a former nurse, was always helping other refugees. No matter how difficult our situation, she would do her best to take care of others in need. From her I discovered how much helping others is a part of my soul’s mission.

My own personal journey from South Sudan to Egypt to the United States is the story of so many global children who are forced to flee their country because of war, violence, persecution and economic hardships. It heightened my awareness and sensitivity to the shared suffering of others. It also deepened my commitment to provide the support and opportunities for immigrants and refugees to develop to their fullest potential. And the key to this, as it was for myself, is education.

It is only through education that a person can live in this world with dignity and reach their full potential. We don’t need more refugee camps. We need more schools, which not only enables children to learn, but a chance to children. And schools bring life to a dying village.

I began advocating through organizations like UNICEF to empower displaced children. I also spoke at United Nation conferences and to world leaders, sharing my story and why an educational investment in children is so vital to their future and ours.

But I soon realized the best way to accomplish this was through an organization that focuses at the grassroots level. That is why I started New York-based Stand For Education, a global platform to enrich and empower displaced women and children through art and education. I have since devoted my career to giving voice and opportunities to refugees and immigrants throughout the world. As an international model, actor and DJ, I have also used these platforms to bring greater support and awareness, and, through sharing my story, I discovered the power of storytelling. Sharing my story creates a human connection—that refugees are men, women and children deserving the same dignity and respect as any person. They are like me. They are like you.

I chose the name, Stand for Education, because education means enlightenment. It provides the opportunity for people to have hope and dignity. Education enables you to discover who you really are and what you are capable of. It can be as simple as reading a book, or even a sentence. You discover something about yourself and the world you live in. That’s what Stand for Education is about: discovery, enlightenment, knowledge.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the

world." - Nelson Mandela

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MISSION STATEMENT

Stand for Education is a charity organization dedicated to providing access to quality education for children affected by war and conflict, with a special focus on girls education and women empowerment.

We provide access to educational resources; Clothing, Shoes, Backpacks, Books, Uniform, Workshops on personal hygiene and use of hygiene products, Seminars on self-esteem, awareness through public events, such as concerts, fashion shows, art exhibitions or children’s programs. We strive to identify sustainable empowerment and educational opportunities for the underserved children in war ravaged countries who reside in US and abroad, with a special focus on girls in South Sudan and beyond. Our goal is to assist these underprivileged girls from the age of five to eighteen years of age to improve their lives, wellbeing and that of their families, thus their communities. S4E works within local cultures to inspire awareness, collaboration, and empowerment in these underprivileged communities.

OUR VISION

We take a holistic and a transparent approach on the empowerment of the people. We believe that the power of awareness and education can lead to improved living and sustainable growth. For this reason, we are creating a structure wherein every child and woman living in poverty is able to access education and economic opportunities to help build for a peaceful, prosperous, and empowered life.

South Sudan is the youngest country in the world, yet it has one of the Worst Humanitarian Crisis’ (as stated by the United Nations).

The Republic of South Sudan has been ravaged by a civil war that has hindered development, displaced millions, and abrogating the progression of this new nation. The war has created severe food insecurities and destroyed the already lackluster education system. Education is the key to changing South Sudan but without adequate awareness and advocacy, the current system will continue to deteriorate. South Sudan has the lowest school access rates in the world with staggering figures such as only 33% of girls in South Sudan attending school.

70% of South Sudanese children between the ages of 6 and 17 have never set foot in a classroom thus increasing the illiteracy rate in the nation. According to the UN, South Sudan has the highest rate of out-of-school children among twenty-two countries in conflict zones. Schools provide a safety zone for children whose lives have been scarred by violence and famine. Despite the crisis many children in South Sudan still have a simple dream- “I want to go to school”