South Sudan

South Sudan is the newest country of the world, gaining independence in June of 2011 after over 50 years of armed struggle and conflict with the North. As a result, South Sudan has more than 3.25 million people living in United Nations camps for internally displaced or in refugee camps in neighboring countries. The new country’s challenges are many: the economy has collapsed, roads are in disrepair, the countryside is unstable, and peace is fragile. Maryknoll Lay Missioners returned to South Sudan in 2018 (after serving there in the 1990s and early 2000s) and hopes to expand its ministries there in the future. (Top photo ©Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth Pictures)

Ministry areas

Justice and Peace

Conflict and poverty persist in South Sudan. Our lay missioner in the country works at Kuron Peace Village, a model community in remote southeastern South Sudan. Founded by a retired Catholic bishop and human rights leader, the village provides education (nursery to secondary), health services, food security, agriculture training and actively engages the area’s different ethnic tribes in conflict resolution and peace building.

Our missioners in South Sudan

Gabe Hurrish

Featured stories

Preaching Hope. Living Peace

Gabe Hurrish reflects on his 8 years in South Sudan and how lucky he was to not be surrounded by media during that time.

The miracle of a humble library

In Riwoto, South Sudan, the opening of a new Learning Resource Center at Tim Galvin Secondary School is providing a rare opportunity for students to engage with books, technology, and a modern approach to learning. With a new library, computer lab, and growing resources, this project is helping students develop essential skills, from reading comprehension to computer literacy, and offering them a brighter future.

The heart of togetherness

In Africa, marriage is more than a union between two individuals—it’s a community affair, says missioner Gabe Hurrish in South Sudan. The extended family takes center stage, harmony is paramount, and generosity binds generations.