By Sr. Laurencila Akinyi, FSSA
A remote village in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio now boasts one of the most impressive school buildings in the region, after Caritas Austria funded the construction of a full primary school complex at Bishop Hiiboro Nursery and Primary School in Diabio — complete with eight classrooms, administrative offices, and supporting structures.
The school carries a name with deep local significance. It was named after Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, at the initiative of the elders of Diabio village — a gesture of honour made even before the village became a parish. Today, the school sits alongside the newly established Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Parish Diabio, a symbol of the community’s dual growth in faith and education.
The drive to upgrade the school was spearheaded by the parish’s young and energetic priest, Fr. Benjamin, who worked hand in hand with the local community to realise a vision for a proper, permanent school facility. Their combined determination caught the attention of Caritas Austria, the diocese’s Catholic development partner, which responded with a generous donation that made the entire construction project possible.
The completed complex includes eight fully furnished classrooms, a block of administrative offices, and additional supporting structures — providing the village with an educational facility that meets the needs of both the nursery and primary school population. For a village that long lacked adequate learning infrastructure, the development represents a transformative leap.
The community has expressed profound gratitude to Caritas Austria for the donation. Residents describe the new facility as a source of great hope, significant relief, and tangible support for a village that has long been underserved. “No school can be compared to it in the whole area,” said one community member, capturing the pride that the new building has inspired.
The project stands as a testament to what community initiative, pastoral leadership, and Catholic solidarity can achieve together. From a village school founded by local elders to a flagship educational institution anchored beside a growing parish, Bishop Hiiboro Nursery and Primary School Diabio is now a model of what faith-driven development can look like in South Sudan’s most remote corners.
