"Literacy is a Bridge from Misery to Hope" Kofi Annan

Education and literacy are powerful forces for change. They unlock economic opportunities, break cycles of poverty, and drive personal and societal growth. They also foster better communication and civic engagement—essential tools for South Sudan as it strives to build a stable nation.

Yet, South Sudan faces one of the world’s worst literacy crises. According to the U.S. Embassy in South Sudan, approximately 70% of adults cannot read or write, and a staggering 84% of girls over 15 are illiterate. An estimated 2.8 million children are out of school, and entire villages—home to hundreds of children—lack any access to education.

For these children, the future is bleak. Without education, they have zero opportunity to enter the modern workforce or break free from the cycle of poverty.

This is why Hope Encounter was founded.

Study after study has proven that foundational literacy and numeracy transform lives—boosting economic stability, improving health, reducing poverty, and expanding labor market opportunities.

Our vision? A school and a Christian church in every village across South Sudan.

In just three years, we’ve already planted:
✅ One school and one church in Wau
✅ One school and a growing fellowship in Awoda

And we are just getting started.

As former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan so powerfully stated:
"Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope."

Join us. Your support helps us open a new school and church every year—each one a new bridge of hope for the next generation.