"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing" By Konstantin Josef Jireček, a Czech historian, diplomat and slavist.
June 20, 2012 (JUBA) – At least four million South Sudanese, nearly half of the country’s population, still live below the poverty, implying that one out of every two individuals cannot obtain the minimum level of basic needs, a survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statics (NBS) indicates. “There is a much higher level of poverty in rural than urban areas. While more than half of the rural population lives below the poverty lined, one in four people does the same in urban areas,” the report reads in part. According to the survey, for instance, average food consumption in urban areas is SSP 109 (about $35) per person monthly, which is reportedly 50 percent more than food consumption in rural areas, estimated at just SSP 73 ($20) per month. The survey, carried out between April and May 2009, cites the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region as the poorest region in South Sudan, with the highest poverty levels (62%), followed by the Greater Equatoria (45%) and the Greater Upper Nile (44%).
PaanLuel Wël is a South Sudanese blogger, writer and media entrepreneur who runs a popular online media platform called PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers various topics related to South Sudan and the world. PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd is a website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. It was founded in 2011 by PaanLuel Wël and a group of South Sudanese bloggers and writers who wanted to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue. The website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël, one of the most influential and respected voices in the South Sudanese media landscape, is a proud son of South Sudan who strives to contribute to the development and prosperity of his country and people. He is passionate about promoting the values of democracy, human rights, peace and development in South Sudan and beyond. He believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups. He is an advocate for freedom of expression and access to information as fundamental rights for all citizens. PaanLuel Wël hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.