How South Sudan Got An Address
- by Larry Duffee, AFRECS Treasurer. Serving in 2012 as finance officer of the Episcopal Church of Sudan in Juba, Duffee met Simon Wal Deng, a student at Bishop Gwynne Theological College. Deng later was killed trying to broker peace between two communities in Akobo.
Back in the day, there really were no street addresses in Juba. The population was not that large and most folks more or less knew one another, or knew each part of town – with names like Hai Cinema, Nimera Talaata, or Hai Jerusalem. There was also an old system of plot numbers, but that was effective for only parts of town. (There was also a somewhat nefarious effort on the part of some expats to go on Google Maps and name streets after themselves, or worse — some of which continue to appear on Google Maps.)
But as things got more crowded and as we at the Episcopal Church of Sudan were doing more international transfers, we needed a proper street address. I looked at our location and thought, “We are on the corner of the second block from where Unity Ave begins.” I presumed addresses on the left would be even numbered, and those on the right would be odd. And thus, the ECS office should be “200 Unity Avenue”! I informed the staff to start using that address, figuring if it was wrong, we’d be informed at some point. I never imagined that address would still be in use 10 years later!
AFRECS breathes because individuals like you care about the peacebuilding, educating, and empowering work of the Episcopal Church in the Sudans. Parishes and dioceses are also welcome supporters. Please act on your concern by contributing here or send your check payable to AFRECS, Box 3327, Alexandria VA 22302. We are a 501(c)3 corporation, and your contributions are tax-deductible.