The Jüdische Kulturbund Project
At the age of 26, Jok Abraham Thon founded the Promised Land Secondary School in Juba, South Sudan. He believes that human beings can “change their minds from bullets to books.” Bullets to Books is a global transformer that relies on education and cultural exchange for peace and unity.
Promised Land Secondary School had a computer with no computers at the time I became the Intern and College Ambassador for The Jüdische Kulturbund Project, an organization rooted in embracing the arts and cultural expression to overcome oppressive conflict. The Project has helped Jok bring educational resources to underserved children in South Sudan, and I had the privilege to contribute my efforts.
Donation Collection & GoFundMe
In November 2021, I was able to utilize Pace University’s resources in coalition with my leadership roles to host a fundraiser for used electronic devices. I collected two MacBook laptops, 1 iPad, and hosted a GoFundMe to collect $200 for the overweight shipping cost of the devices to be shipped back to Juba, South Sudan for the Bullets to Books Initiative. This initiative aids in cultural exchange and digital education for the 900+ students affected by armed conflict, all of whom invest in their educational advancement at The Promised Land Secondary School, despite their hardship.
Bullets to Books in Action
A few weeks after the devices left my possession, I received an email from The Project with an image of the Promised Land Secondary School and Jok’s staff utilizing a TV, connected to one of the 3 devices I collected. It was and still remains a truly remarkable and eye-opening image to see; my efforts contributing to students’ digital education and teachers mode of influence on students in Juba.