HOPE for the Future of South Sudan – Henderlight returns to update us. - Janesville Gazette (blog)

HENDERLIGHT brings HOPE for the Future of South Sudan to share with US!

This week WE THE PEOPLE of ROCK COUNTY and south central WI have the special opportunity to get an update on the FIRST YEAR of SOUTH SUDAN as it prepares for its FIRST B-DAY in July 2012. A year ago, I reported through my WE THE PEOPLE blog, "NEW NATION to be born in July 2011 - Republic of South Sudan" on the visit of ANITA HENDERLIGHT, founder and director of Africa ELI (Education and Leadership Initiative) working in South Sudan.

NOW, she will be here this week into next week to update us with the latest off her pictures and personal experiences. I LOOK FORWARD to her first-hand, eye-witness update. HOPE you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about SOUTH SUDAN.

I am very much concerned about the FUTURE of SOUTH SUDAN as BBC news reports almost daily on increasing attacks from the Republic of Sudan or North Sudan (for more information, use this link to the Wikipedia article, “Sudan”) on the Republic of South Sudan (for more information, use this link to the Wikipedia article, “South Sudan”).

Remember: President Omar al-Bashir was indicted by the International Criminal Court on July 12, 2010 for crimes against humanity due to the GENOCIDE which he perpetuated in Darfur. He has NOT been arrested. WHY?! For more details, use this link to the Wikipedia article, "Omar al-Bashir."

NOTE: Several nations and groups of nations oppose the indictment. WHEN will this criminal be put on trial?! Is he NOW directing GENOCIDE with violence against SOUTH SUDAN? I want to hear ANITA’s evaluation. Do YOU?

For the past five years Anita has been living and working in southern Sudan. The first Africa ELI school, a secondary school for girls, began with 18 young women. On December 3, 2011, they had their first class of Africa ELI graduates. Now her nonprofit organization supports students in ten schools throughout South Sudan and has begun enrolling boys as well as girls. Anita predicts that these newly-educated young people will be the young professionals and leaders of tomorrow. This is an important prediction in an area with such a high illiteracy rate. It represents hope for the future in a part of the world that has been torn by so much conflict for so many years.

TODAY I am very happy to alert you to the fact that ANITA HENDERLIGHT will be HERE – Rock County, WI and area – starting on Wednesday (4/11) this week. My wife, Marilyn, has been an advocate for and supporter of ANITA and Africa ELI since she first learned about the project at the United Methodist Women’s School of Missions summer 2010. She is among the network which has arranged for ANITA’s presentations during her visit. If you want more information about ANITA and/or Africa ELI, you are welcome to call my wife, Marilyn – 608-868-3585 – OR, use this link to the “Africa ELI” website.

Anita’s speaking schedule in this area is as follows and all events listed are free and open to the public:

Wednesday, April 11 - 6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. - Cargill UM Church, 2000 Wesley Ave, Janesville, 6:00-8:00 P.M. - 608-752-0548

Thursday, April 12 - Noon Potluck (bring a dish to pass), 12:45 P.M. program - Brodhead United Methodist Church, 502 1st Center Ave, Brodhead - 608-897-2738

Monday, April 16 - 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. - Janesville Academy for International Studies, Hyatt-Smith Commons Meeting Room, University of Wisconsin-Rock County, 2909 Kellogg Ave., Janesville.

Wednesday, April 18 - 9:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. with light lunch to follow. Whitewater First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St, Whitewater - 262-473-2131.

Anita’s visit is a special opportunity for WE THE PEOPLE of South Central Wisconsin to learn more about SOUTH SUDAN, AFRICA as we continue to realize that we live in the whole wide world… GLOBALIZATION is the true reality of our 21st century whether we like it or not. So, as I learned as a BOY SCOUT, “BE PREPARED!” Yes, time for us to “BE PREPARED”! What do YOU think?

Here we go…

Mr. E.