We are the Maale Foundation Family!

The Maale Foundation exists to ensure that South Sudan’s most vulnerable children, especially those in displaced communities, can access the education, safety, and support they need to rise from poverty and lead their communities forward. We build schools, nurture literacy, and invest in the leadership of girls and youth through community-rooted solutions.

Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by empowering the next generation to rise and lead. Our passionate team of volunteers, educators, donors, and community leaders works hand in hand to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Bijiek Jieknyal founded the Maale Foundation in 2022 to uplift vulnerable children in South Sudan from despair to hope. He believes that every child deserves the opportunity to learn. Bijiek founded the organization out of a deep commitment to empower the most vulnerable children, especially girls and youth in displaced communities, by providing access to quality education, safety, and hope.

Eligibility

The Maale Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible per IRS regulations. Our mission is to uplift South Sudan’s underserved children, especially girls and youth in displaced communities, through education, community empowerment, and economic opportunity. By building schools, fostering literacy, and investing in young leaders, we’re working to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter, more resilient future.

Give Now

mission and vision of the Maale Foundation

mission statement

The Maale Foundation’s mission statement is to educate, empower, and transform the lives of underserved children and youth in South Sudan through quality education that brings hope, opportunity, and lasting change.

We aim to build schools, fund scholarships, train teachers, and empower young women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to shape a brighter, more equitable future.

Vision Statement

We envision a South Sudan where every child has access to quality education, equal opportunity, and the freedom to thrive.

Our Core Values

Education for All: We believe every child, regardless of background, ability, or location, deserves access to inclusive, quality education that empowers them to reach their full potential.

Empowerment: We empower vulnerable children, youth, and families with tools, education, and opportunities that help them transform their futures.

Compassion: We act with empathy and compassion, serving vulnerable children and families with respect, dignity, and unwavering care.

Integrity: We commit to honesty, transparency, and accountability in every decision, action, and partnership.

Community-Centered: We partner with local communities, honoring their leadership, knowledge, and culture to build sustainable, community-driven change.

Equity and Inclusion: We champion equity and inclusion, ensuring girls, children with disabilities, and marginalized groups have equal opportunities to thrive.

Sustainability: We invest in long-term, community-led solutions that break the cycle of poverty and promote lasting self-reliance.

Our Goals

Build Schools: Create safe, inclusive, and accessible learning spaces by constructing and renovating schools in underserved and displaced communities.

Increase Access to Education: Boost enrollment and improve school retention rates, with a special focus on girls, children with disabilities, and displaced youth.

Enhance Teaching Quality: Provide ongoing training and professional development for teachers to improve the quality of instruction and student outcomes.

Promote Literacy and Community Engagement: Run community education campaigns to raise awareness about the value of literacy, encourage school attendance, and foster local support for education.

Support Holistic Learning Environments: Ensure schools are equipped with clean water, sanitation, meals, and basic health services to create an environment where children can thrive.

Educational Challenges in South Sudan

Economic hardship remains one of the greatest barriers to education in South Sudan. In areas like Bentiu, Unity State, many schools lack trained teachers, essential supplies such as textbooks and desks, and safe, stable buildings. Some students learn in overcrowded classrooms held under trees or inside deteriorating structures—conditions that make meaningful learning nearly impossible.

Widespread poverty forces children to abandon their education and work to help their families survive, sacrificing their hopes for a brighter future. Girls face even greater challenges: early marriage, domestic responsibilities, and gender-based violence often keep them out of school entirely.

Without urgent and sustained investment in educational infrastructure, teacher training, and community-led support, South Sudan risks losing an entire generation—not only to poverty, but to the lasting consequences of conflict, inequality, and despair.

The following are major barriers hindering access to quality education in South Sudan:

Food Insecurity

Widespread food insecurity persists due to factors such as conflict, displacement, poor infrastructure, and limited agricultural productivity, leaving millions of people vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition.

Underinvestment in Education

Historically, South Sudan has allocated limited resources to education, resulting in inadequate funding for schools, teacher salaries, and educational infrastructure. This underinvestment hampers efforts to improve the quality and accessibility of education.

Limited Access to Education

A significant portion of South Sudan’s population, especially in rural areas, lacks access to formal education. Infrastructure such as schools and educational

Shortage of Qualified Teachers

There is a shortage of trained and qualified teachers in South Sudan. Many teachers lack proper training and qualifications, which affects the quality of education provided.

Civil war and Food Insecurity wrecked education

Civil war and food insecurity wrecked children’s education in South Sudan.

Poverty and Economic Challenges

Economic hardships and poverty make it difficult for many families to afford the costs associated with education, such as school fees, uniforms, and supplies. This further exacerbates inequalities in access to education.

Gender Disparities

Gender disparities persist in South Sudanese education, with girls often having lower enrollment rates and higher dropout rates compared to boys. Factors such as early marriage, cultural norms, and lack of facilities specifically for girls contribute to this disparity.

Conflict and Instability

Prolonged conflicts and political instability have severely disrupted the education system. Schools are frequently damaged or destroyed, and teachers and students are displaced, leading to interruptions in learning.

The Maale Foundation works to address the following educational challenges in South Sudan:

Maale Foundation mitigation education challenges involve implementing targeted strategies to address the specific needs of the community. Here are some potential mitigation measures:

Youth Development

Engaging and empowering youth through education, skills training, and entrepreneurship programs to harness their potential as agents of positive change in their communities.

Community Outreach and Awareness

The foundation can conduct awareness campaigns to emphasize the importance of education and encourage families to prioritize sending their children to school. These campaigns can also educate parents about the long-term benefits of education for their children.

Scholarship Programs

Establishing scholarship programs can help alleviate the financial burden on families and ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to education. Scholarships can cover school fees, uniforms, books, and other educational expenses, enabling more children to enroll and remain in school.

Access to Education

Addressing the lack of educational opportunities by establishing schools, providing scholarships, and supporting educational infrastructure development.

Poverty Alleviation

Working towards reducing poverty by empowering communities through various initiatives such as education, vocational training, and economic empowerment programs.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Implementing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms allows the foundation to track progress, identify challenges, and make informed decisions about programmatic interventions. Regular assessments of student learning outcomes, school performance, and program effectiveness enable continuous improvement and accountability.

Women's Empowerment

Supporting gender equality and women’s empowerment through programs that provide education, vocational training, and economic opportunities for women and girls.

Parent and Community Involvement

Engaging parents and the broader community in the education process can strengthen support for schooling and promote positive outcomes for students. The foundation can organize parent-teacher meetings, community forums, and other events to foster collaboration and communication between stakeholders.

By striving to achieve these educational goals, the Maale Foundation can empower children and youth with disabilities to overcome barriers, maximize their potential, and lead fulfilling and independent lives.

” target=”_blank”>