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YEARNING FOR PEACE!

WESTERN EQUATORIA STATE

Oboi. “The last part that touched me as take precautions and treat themselves The low literacy rate in the new nation
a Christian was the visit of the Bishop of seriously, saying if Uganda did reduce is yet another crucial concern for the
Czech Republic who met all the church their prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in minister who had to spend his Christmas
leaders from different denominations. 1990’s, then South Sudan can too. sensitizing the citizens on the need to
When this heads meet, it brings peace Politicians such as Clement educate their children for a brighter
to the country, at the end we were able Mbugoniwia, the State Minister of future.
to receive a huge message from God Physical Infrastructure and Public Utility “It’s our responsibility to send our
which has changed the attitude of many also used the festive break to reach out children to school. We should also
citizens of WES,” he said. to his rural constituents to preach the dig to avoid food shortage and dig for
According to the man of God, peace
comes as a result of having a strong faith
and cooperation and living in harmony
with all followers and believers.
The church leaders also seized the
opportunity of the festive season
to preach about the environment,
education and also the HIV/AIDS
scourge.
Bishop Eduardo Hiibiro of Tombura-
Yambio Diocese encouraged state
citizens and South Sudanese as a whole
to be alert to their environment, work
for peace, educate their children in order
to eliminate ignorance from the society
and cultivate on a large scale in order to
support other states and also export to
other countries.
“My dear people of God, the year 2013
is the beginning of the next 100 years
of Centenary! As usual, New Year is the
time to visit our relatives and friends,
to warm up relations and strengthen
friendship,” said the bishop.
“Our resolution must be to face our Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala the Catholic Bishop of Tombura-Yambio Diocese. [Gurtong | File]
challenges with courage and confidence,
to spread love and affection to our dear gospel of nation building. “Christmas ourselves good drinking water points.
ones, to lead a life of success and victory, was a very colourful event for me and my In this matter, the government can come
to pray to God for all those blessings, entire family although I didn’t celebrate to intervene or support the project,” he
courage to stand up and walk,” he added. it with them. I was in the west counties said. Mr. Mbugoniwia also noted the
Based on the poor health facilities in to talk to my people about the building improved religious conviction in the
the state, Fr. Oboi also decried the high of the new nation. And to inform them state from manifestations witnessed
rate of child and maternal mortality that in times of austerity measures, they during the festive season.
and reports that the state has got the should do things for themselves instead “My personal perception this Christmas
highest number of people living with of thinking there is someone coming to was that Christianity has taken a shape.
HIV/AIDS. He urged the residents to do it for them,” said Mbugoniwia. This Christmas was celebrated in a

36 | Gurtong Focus Monthly February 2013