Josephine and Suzanne’s Story

Josephine and Suzanne are young mothers attending evening school in Yambio, South Sudan

Josephine and Suzanne are friends. They both gave birth a month ago and have recently returned to school. They are not allowed to attend classes in regular schools, because of the need to breastfeed their babies, but they have the opportunity to do it at Yabongo evening school in Yambio. The evening school is mostly attended by adolescent mothers, pregnant girls, and adults who have jobs to attend in the morning. “I don’t want to end my education because of my new-born” says Josephine. 

Suzanne has two more children and says that she wants to become a doctor in the future. “When I finish secondary school, I’ll enrol in university” Suzanne affirms. They both assure that their husbands support their educational plans. “They like us going back to school” Josephine explains as she hands her baby back to her young husband who currently studies at university himself. 

Both mothers are happy because they can breastfeed their babies while attending classes. While the teachers give lessons, mothers normally place their babies on blankets next to their desks, but often have to stand when their children demand attention. “This is a bit hectic” Suzanne admits, “but after a year or so I’ll be able to leave my child at home with my mother and return to regular school.” 

Josephine and Suzanne confess that they don’t have much support with the daily housework. “We spend every morning taking care of the children, washing clothes, cooking and cleaning the house.” When do they have time to prepare for their lessons? “Late at night, using our small cell-phones to light our notebooks.”