Dear Friend,

Today, South Sudan celebrates 15 years of independence.

As the world's youngest nation marks this milestone, we celebrate the resilience, determination, and hope of the South Sudanese people. While challenges remain, we are inspired every day by women and men who are building brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.

One of those women is Mercy.

When Mercy joined a Five Talents program in South Sudan, she couldn't read or write. As a mother of four, she dreamed of providing a better future for her family, but without literacy, business skills, or financial resources, those dreams felt out of reach.

Today, Mercy owns a thriving food business, employs two staff members, and is providing for her family with confidence and hope.

Her journey reflects a remarkable transformation taking place across her community. After just one year, the percentage of Five Talents participants in Terekeka, South Sudan who could read simple text in their mother tongue grew from 21% to 82%. As literacy increased, so too did opportunity: 69% of participants started a new income-generating activity, and 74% reported an increase in household income.

Mercy's story reminds us that independence is strengthened when people have the opportunity to shape their own futures. Through literacy, savings, and entrepreneurship, families are gaining the tools they need for themselves and their communities to flourish.

We invite you to read Mercy's inspiring story in celebration of the hope and resilience of South Sudan.