Editor’s note: for more background on the SSEF, see “South Sudanese organization offering programs in Lincoln” (September 19, 2017).
By Ellen Meyer Shorb
In this time of thinking about race and what each of us can do, I’d like to acknowledge a wonderful local organization, the South Sudanese Education for Families, and suggest you consider donating to them. What they need right now is money.
SSEF was started 20 years ago by Susan Winship of Lincoln to support the “lost boys” of South Sudan who escaped a civil war to come to Massachusetts. SSEF now supports their families. Many of you have helped over the years.
Due to the pandemic, almost all of these families have at least one person who is unemployed. Several have fallen ill and two have been hospitalized because of the virus. Consider a donation to the SSEF Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund.
In addition, the Black Lives Matter protests have brought up painful thoughts of how racism has touched each of their lives. SSEF is addressing institutional racism by providing scholarships for preschool education. Many of these families are not able to send their kids to preschool because of cost. State assistance programs, such as preschool vouchers and Head Start, are overwhelmed with applicants. This year there are 31 South Sudanese children who want to go to preschool and SSEF hopes to provide up to 95% of their tuition. Contribute to the preschool program here.
For questions, text Susan Winship 781-424-8774. Thank you for your generosity.
Ellen Meyer Shorb
99 South Great Rd., Lincoln
”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.
Thank you for reminding us of this vulnerable and often fragile community of families originally from South Sudan who have been adversely affected by the economic consequences of the Corona Virus. Financial support for this group is something very concrete that we can do as we struggle to find meaningful ways to help address the racial injustices in this country.
Barbara Slayter, 7 Trapelo Road
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