South Sudan’s dire state and impoverished education system unsettled me and reminded me of Alia, a South Sudanese girl whose story I read earlier this year. Everyday, Alia has to both go to school and support her family. Not many people in South Sudan have the opportunity to receive an education—over 70% of children are currently out of school—including Alia’s mother who is illiterate. Yet this has created the untrue stereotype that children in South Sudan do not value education. Conversely, Alia yearns for quality education and a solid future—something we often don’t appreciate as it comes easy for us.

Alia’s story reminded me of my volunteering experience in Cambodia, a developing country, and the numerous stereotypes people had about Cambodians. This became the inspiration of my piece. The severed chains symbolise the breaking of untrue and damaging stereotypes, as well as the limits South Sudanese children face in gaining an education which would nurture their potentials and allow them to achieve their dreams. Along with the explosiveness emphasising the amount of awareness, solidarity that is needed for these chains to be broken, so as to provide better education, and hence more opportunities, for South Sudanese children.

Dimensions

Large segment: 61 x 30.5 cm

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Small segments:

30.5 x 30.5 cm

30.5 x 30.5 cm

Medium