Salida to South Sudan: Local woman supports tech for Sudanese students

Students at the JRS Education Unit, Maban, South Sudan. (Susan Cahills)

Salida’s Donna Lester ships out in just a few months. She’ll be carting a half-dozen personal tablets to South Sudan, where she plans to distribute the technology and provide training to young women. 

Lester and Jennifer Dempsey have teamed up with Girls with Books to provide tablets, internet access and skills training in the digital world to young women in South Sudan. 

“We’ll work with some of the girls and give them the devices and start training them on Microsoft,” Lester said. “Another huge part of this trip, though, is to research how we can get them internet.”

Lester has been in Salida for 10 years, and as her path crossed with Dempsey, they decided to team up, and Lester joined in on the recent Girls with Books fundraiser. 

“Micklina (Kenyi) and Dr. Lawrence (Wongo) had expressed the need for technical stuff, and that’s what I do,” Lester said. “It skyrocketed for me, just took off.”

In addition to the tablets, Lester ordered two Starlink dishes for the schools. She expects one to arrive in a year, while the other is at least two years away. Once they arrive, she’ll go back to help get them set up. 

“We’re going to meet with government officials in South Sudan because they perhaps have to approve internet in the schools,” Lester said. “We have a lot of research to do in February so that next time we have a better, more permanent plan.”

Dempsey first got involved with the Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan (now Girls with Books) in 2008 after watching a documentary. She brings Girls with Books to Chaffee County twice a year to speak in schools, raise awareness and form friendships. 

“I think we’ve raised $12,000 over the whole 12 years,” she said. “My primary purpose was to form human-to-human contact. It was doable because the South Sudanese people that were coming here were so personable and friendly and open. They’re just so appreciative of anybody interested in helping them.

“When they came (to Chaffee County) this September,” she said, “it just happened again. It’s easy to partner with them.”

With her trip just a few months away, Lester still seeks used tablets such as iPads, Chromebooks or Android Notepads. Donated tablets should be less than 10 years old and must be factory reset. Though she only needs six to eight for her upcoming trip, she hopes to eventually acquire around 250 tablets through device and monetary donations or from computer recyclers. 

“We have to have a place to get internet,” she said. “We have to have a plan to keep the devices under lockdown.”

The trip, Dempsey said, is an opportunity to put “feet on the ground” as they continue to uncover information about local internet and digital capabilities.

“That’s the big thing we have to get resolution on,” Lester said. 

“South Sudan is the world’s newest nation,” Dempsey said. “They were starting from Ground Zero. They had no infrastructure. The first thing Project Education South Sudan did was brick-and-mortar walls for schools. That’s why a little goes a long way, and it’s going to be very interesting to hear, from Donna’s expert point of view, where they’re at with internet capability.”

Lester’s and Dempsey’s next visit will depend on internet accessibility. But in the meantime, Girls with Books is also forming pen pal relationships between students in Chaffee County and girls in South Sudan. Lester and Dempsey have been working on making bags for the girls that include feminine hygiene supplies, hand sanitizer and a slip of paper with contact information for their pen pal.

“We’ve had some schools in Salida, and I’m waiting to hear from some schools in BV,” Dempsey said. “I think it’s amazing that a student in Salida could be a penpal with … a student in South Sudan.”

Those who want to contribute but don’t have a tablet can donate funds, and Lester can provide a receipt for tax deduction purposes. Checks can be mailed to 7620 Meadowlark Dr, Salida, CO 81201. Donate to Lester on Venmo (@Donna-Lester-AK) or Paypal at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.^[1].

Follow Lester’s journey at Facebook.com/SalidatoSouthSudan^[2]. Visit GirlswithBooks.org^[3]. 

References

1. ^{^} This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (www.bing.com)
2. ^{^} Facebook.com/SalidatoSouthSudan (Facebook.com)
3. ^{^} GirlswithBooks.org (GirlswithBooks.org)