Maruba gives access to information in Greater Yei

The civil society organisations CEAP now serves three counties in Southern Sudan with relevant information through its Maruba Newsletter.

The Maruba Newsletter reaches three counties in Central Equatoria State in Southern Sudan. Photo: Janne Bruvoll.

The people of Yei River, Lainya and Morobo Counties have a regular newsletter feeding them with information relevant for them. The newsletter is called Maruba and has been published for nearly ten years by the Yei based organisation Community Education Action Programme (CEAP). A total of 1800 copies of the newsletter are now distributed on a monthly basis to all payams in the three counties. That is an improvement from last year when the newsletter was only printed in 600-700 copies every three months.

“With the new plan in partnership with MS Sudan, we have been able to expand our area of coverage to a number of new payams. This is aimed at bringing mixed ideas and representation of these counties,” says Data Emmanuel Aggrey, the editor of Maruba Newsletter.

He further adds that the Maruba reporters have received technical advice and journalism training from MS Sudan and that explains why there are positive changes with the newsletter. Other international NGOs like Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and International Media Support have also offered capacity building to the reporters.

Shortcomings of the newsletter
The Maruba Newsletter is supported by MS Sudan and due to the fact that MS Sudan will close its programme by the end of 2010, CEAP is now exploring how Maruba Newsletter can become a self sustainable activity not requiring external funding.

“We need sustainability plans and unless we capitalize on that, standing on our own will be difficult,” Data Emmanuel Aggrey says.

He is convinced that the newsletter will continue its publication despite the numerous challenges and the closing of MS Sudan and he strongly urges the local authorities, organisations, civil society and business companies to support the newsletter by subscribing and advertising so as to keep the public awake since information is power. As it is now, a copy of Maruba Newsletter costs 2 pounds.