Sani-Tayi Self-Help Scheme

The Sani-Tayi Self-Help Scheme is led by Pastor John Noah Komi, who also oversees the Church of God in South Sudan, made up of approximately 150 churches. The Scheme was formed by individuals who sought to help relieve the desperate poverty of this region, which has seen little benefit from foreign aid, despite being afflicted by decades of civil war. They named it 'Sani-Tayi', which means 'the poor person helping the poorer person'.

Afrinspire has supported the work they started, aiming to create opportunities for local people, and gradually improve the quality of life.

A major issue faced by the scheme has been the difficulties faced by families who return to South Sudan to resettle after a long period as refugees from the war. In order to help them establish independent homesteads, Afrinspire has supplied money for seeds, tools and materials, and some 150 families have benefited from tools and seeds in one way or another.

The protracted civil war meant that few people have ever had anything like a proper education, and Afrinspire now supports 27 students in school, and supplied the funds for educational materials. A major focus has been vocational training, and Afrinspire has supported an individual learning to drive, as well as training in carpentry for young people who are otherwise uneducated. Through this programme, they acquire the skills to make several pieces of furniture, which they can sell to generate income. Consequently, at least 8 young people now work for themselves and have a future, while otherwise they may have had to resort to begging on the streets. As well as carpentry, Afrinspire has supported a leather-working programme, and 10 fully-trained workers buy leather from Jinja in Uganda to make into balls and belts for sale.

Since 2008, Sani-Tayi has also run an awareness programme for young people in the area, trying to address the problems of drug addiction, HIV/AIDS, early marriage. This was prompted by the recognition that 21 years of civil war in Sudan had had a terrible impact on vulnerable social groups, and especially on young people. Some were involved in the war, while others suffered from drug and alcohol abuse, theft and violence. The scheme hopes to help relieve these issues now that peace has been restored.