By Sabri Dibaco
Nearly nine in ten people in South Sudan are projected to live on less than US$3 a day in 2025, underscoring the scale of poverty facing communities across the country.
According to the World Bank’s October 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief, the estimate is based on projections using the 2016 household survey.
The bank also reports widespread deprivation in education, access to essential services, and living conditions.
Against this backdrop, Strømme Foundation is working with communities and local partners in South Sudan to expand access to education, vocational training, and income-generating opportunities, helping vulnerable young people, women, and men build more secure livelihoods and work towards a future beyond poverty.
The impact of this work took centre stage on 9 October in Juba, as the organisation celebrated 50 years of fighting poverty globally, bringing together government representatives, partners, and beneficiaries whose stories demonstrated how opportunities, skills, and community support can transform lives.
For James Misa, a beneficiary of Strømme Foundation’s Bonga program, vocational training has meant more than acquiring a new skill.
It has helped him restore his dignity, provide for his family, and rebuild a relationship strained by poverty.
Misa said financial hardship had contributed to the breakdown of his marriage, with his wife leaving him because of the difficult conditions they faced. His circumstances began to change after he received plumbing training through the foundation.
“Before the training, life was very difficult, and poverty put a strain on my family. After receiving plumbing training from the Strømme Foundation, I can now earn a living, pay my brother’s school fees, and take care of my son,” Misa said.
He added that his wife had since returned home, and the family was living together peacefully again.
“My wife has returned home, and we are living together peacefully. Being able to provide for my family has made a real difference in our lives,” he said.
His experience illustrates how practical skills and access to livelihood opportunities can help people move beyond financial hardship, meet family responsibilities, and rebuild relationships.
For another beneficiary, Peter Oya, the opportunity for change meant leaving behind a life of crime and working towards a different future.
Oya said his brother had brought him to Juba to pursue an education, but he later became involved with a group engaged in criminal activities, including robbery and drug use.
He described how his involvement affected his life and relationships with his family before he decided to leave that environment.
Reflecting on his past, Oya acknowledged the harm he had caused and expressed regret over his actions.
“I used to rob people, injure them, and take their belongings. We did many harmful things, and when I look back on that period of my life, I feel deeply ashamed. Today, I am living a happier life, and my family is pleased with the changes I have made,” he said.
Oya credited the support he received through the Strømme Foundation with helping him change his behavior and improve his relationship with his family. He also expressed a strong desire to return to school and continue his education.