Kasmiro is one of the CORE sponsored students studying their degree in South Africa. He is from South Sudan, and once he completes his degree he will return to Bishop Gwynne College to lecture there. He is now in his third year at George Whitefield College (GWC). Read below as he shares how this year is going and how he feels about returning to Bishop Gwynne College (BGC) next year.
Studies so far
Kasmiro says that the academic expectations are very high at GWC, and he often feels like he is not doing enough. Because of this he is not meeting his own expectations that he had for himself. GWC also has higher expectations on using technology than BGC had, but Kasmiro feels that he has improved in this regard. He says that the workload has increased in third year.
Challenges about being so far from home
It is difficult being in South Africa, and having the rest of the family back home. Kasmiro says that communication is sometimes difficult; he generally phones his family back home, but sometimes the calls cut out. With CORE now being able to assist with Family Support money, the family’s basic needs are being met- which he says is helping- but sometimes there are things that happen back home where Kasmiro is the one needed to make the decision, but now he is unable to and this is put on his wife.
Cultural Differences
South Sudan lives very much as a community, whereas in South Africa people are not always as community driven and have a more individualistic life. Kasmiro says that people in South Sudan would come together quickly when needed, but he feels that this is not the case in South Africa.
The only people that he knows from South Sudan in Cape Town are the other students who also came from BGC.
Kasmiro recently got a phonecall saying that his sister’s husband had passed away. He actually put off telling the other students from South Sudan until their school day was over as he knew that this news would upset them as much as it upset him. The other students from South Sudan were able to support him and pray with his through this time. This is an example of the community that would happen in South Sudan.
During this time his sister had really expected him to be there, and witness how the burial is done, and also be part of the planning as to who is going to take care of her and her children. Kasmiro says that it has been really difficult for him as he has been so far away.
He says that the one thing that has made it easier is that since we are already transformed by the Scriptures, we, as Christians, know that death is everywhere and we are here just temporary; knowing this is what is keeping him strong.
Future Plans
Kasmiro says that his first priority after graduating is to go back to BGC and help people, by teaching there. He says that the CORE sponsored students need to go back and share the knowledge to people who do not have access to study internationally.
His wife does not stay in Juba currently, but in another village. When he returns to Juba his family will also move to Juba, but this will take a while for this to happen as he will need to settle first.
Kasmiro speaks about the importance of CORE’s work
Give thanks for…
- Kasmiro completing his first two years at GWC
- The support that Kasmiro receives from his fellow South Sudanese students
- Kasmiro’s commitment to prioritising the needs of his fellow countryman in terms of their relationship to Christ
Please pray for…
- Kasmiro and his family as they grieve the loss of his brother-in-law
- Kasmiro as he manages the last year of his studies
- Kasmiro’s immediate family as they make plans to move to Juba next year to live together
- All the students in Cape Town right now as the country is currently in lockdown due to Covid-19
