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Research Article
Income Generation Activities as Pathways to Livelihood Resilience Among South Sudanese Refugees and Host Communities in White Nile State, Sudan
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
116-125
Received:
6 July 2026
Accepted:
23 July 2026
Published:
10 August 2026
Abstract: Food insecurity continues to define daily life for South Sudanese refugees and host communities in Sudan's White Nile State, where the two groups compete for scarce land, water, and labor. This study investigates how income-generation activities have shaped livelihoods and income diversification among South Sudanese Refugees (SSR) and host communities (HC) in White Nile State. It draws on a household survey (N = 447), key informant interviews (KII), and focus group discussions (FGD) carried out across nine refugee camps and host-community villages in the Al-Gabalain and Al-Salam localities, covering four linked income-generation pathways: crop agriculture supported by Farmer Field Schools (FFS), small-scale fishery production and processing, vocational skills training, and Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA). Survey results show that 34.9% of households received agricultural training, 42.5% received agricultural inputs, 28.4% reported higher income following increased production, and 42.5% reported more diverse diets after crop or vegetable production. Fishery-based livelihoods performed the worst of the four, constrained by inadequate inputs, weak market linkages, and a poor match with beneficiaries' pastoral backgrounds. Vocational training (VT) reached fewer than a third of the target population, and the inputs needed to convert new skills into enterprises were often unavailable: 27% of SSR households received VT, 16.9% received inputs afterward, and 10.2% went on to establish an independent enterprise. VSLA membership was linked to a reported income increase for 35.1% of participating households. The results are interpreted against the wider literature on Farmer Field Schools, small-scale fisheries development, and vocational education and training (VET). The paper closes with recommendations for strengthening market linkages, input supply chains, and locally appropriate livelihood diversification. It recommends that agricultural support prioritize resolving seed and input shortages and expand secure land access for camp-based refugees, including relocating Vertical Bucket Gardens; that the fishery production and processing component be replaced with an income-generation activity better suited to beneficiaries' agro-pastoral skills; and that vocational training be paired more consistently with post-training inputs, equipment maintenance, and market-linkage support.
Abstract: Food insecurity continues to define daily life for South Sudanese refugees and host communities in Sudan's White Nile State, where the two groups compete for scarce land, water, and labor. This study investigates how income-generation activities have shaped livelihoods and income diversification among South Sudanese Refugees (SSR) and host communit...
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Research Article
Rites and Rituals of ‘ibe-ugwu’ as the Gateway to Womanhood in Igboland: The Ukawu Example
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
126-132
Received:
13 May 2026
Accepted:
27 May 2026
Published:
29 September 2026
Abstract: In all the manifestations of culture across the globe, there exist practices which celebrate life circle transitions especially from birth until the termination of human life. One of such practices is the rite of passage. One of such rites of passage is the 'ibe-ugwu' (circumcision) among the Ukawu people of Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria. 'Ibe-ugwu' witness the preparation and equipping of females adolescents to assume the roles of wives, mothers, and women in the society. It is the contention of this work, that the continued neglect of such cultural heritage is one of the major reasons for seeming African Igbo loss of identity, moral decadence and social vices amongst her youths today. The work advocates for a revival of such African Igbo cultural heritage. It further provides more exposition of an African Igbo culture to the wider audience and additional literature on culture, religion and law in Igboland. This research makes use of documental and interview methods of data gathering while deploying the sociological (structural functionalist) approach in its data analysis.
Abstract: In all the manifestations of culture across the globe, there exist practices which celebrate life circle transitions especially from birth until the termination of human life. One of such practices is the rite of passage. One of such rites of passage is the 'ibe-ugwu' (circumcision) among the Ukawu people of Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria. 'Ibe-ug...
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Research Article
Gadaa as a Model of Democratic System: The Peaceful Transfer of Power (Alangee) of Tulama Oromo
Megersa Tolera Abdi*
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
133-143
Received:
1 September 2026
Accepted:
15 September 2026
Published:
29 September 2026
Abstract: The Gadaa system of the Oromo people represents one of the world's most enduring and sophisticated indigenous democratic governance systems. This article examines the recent peaceful transfer of the Alangee (ceremonial baton of authority) from the 70th Gadaa leader, Abbaa Gadaa Goobana Hoolaa (Gadaa Meelbaa cycle), to the 71st Abbaa Gadaa of the Tulama Oromo, Geetuu Taliilaa (Gadaa Muudanaa cycle), which occurred at the sacred site of Ardaa Jilaa Dhaka Koraatti in June 2026. Drawing on documentary analysis and scholarly literature on the Gadaa system, this study analyzes the democratic principles embedded in the Gadaa system, particularly its mechanism for peaceful power transfer, term limits, checks and balances, and popular participation. The findings demonstrate that the Gadaa system offers valuable lessons for contemporary democratic governance, including the routinization of peaceful succession, the separation of powers, accountability mechanisms, and the subordination of rulers to customary law (Seera). The article argues that indigenous governance systems like Gadaa should be recognized not as relics of the past but as living democratic traditions that can inform and enrich modern political practice in Ethiopia and beyond. By engaging critically with questions of power, legitimacy, and the limitations of liberal democratic frameworks, this study contributes to decolonial political theory and offers a theoretically grounded analysis of how indigenous institutions address the universal problem of constraining political authority.
Abstract: The Gadaa system of the Oromo people represents one of the world's most enduring and sophisticated indigenous democratic governance systems. This article examines the recent peaceful transfer of the Alangee (ceremonial baton of authority) from the 70th Gadaa leader, Abbaa Gadaa Goobana Hoolaa (Gadaa Meelbaa cycle), to the 71st Abbaa Gadaa of the Tu...
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Research Article
English Language Teaching in Mixed-Ability Classrooms: Teachers’ Experiences from Community Schools in Nepal
Arjun Jung Rayamajhi*
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
144-149
Received:
29 June 2026
Accepted:
10 July 2026
Published:
30 September 2026
Abstract: This research paper explores English language teachers in community schools in Nepal. This research examines how teachers perceive and understand students with different abilities in the classroom. Recently, the debate on equality and inclusive education in Nepal has attracted attention and discussion, but it has been explained and analyzed in limited ways. The differences observed in the classroom stem from students' language proficiency, learning speed, socioeconomic background, and access to resources and opportunities. According to Rawls' social justice theory, the principles of fairness, equal opportunity, and other principles teachers use in the classroom are linked to educational justice. The data were collected through interviews and classroom observations conducted with four selected teachers from community schools. Key findings included understanding diversity and equality in mixed-ability classes; teachers' moral responsibility and student-oriented teaching; inclusive participation and student voice; and Structural constraints and injustice. Teachers' roles and agency are crucial. This research is for maintaining classroom equity. It shows that teachers should meet students' needs through ethical, educational practices, even when problems stem from systemic issues such as large class sizes, limited resources, and insufficient training. This research contributes significantly to policymakers, stakeholders, teachers, and teacher agency in advancing social justice in mixed-ability classrooms. It suggests that institutional transformation through subtle teacher development programs is essential for socially just learning in classrooms, ensuring fairness and equity, especially in mixed-ability classrooms, and prioritizing situation- and context-sensitive educational reform.
Abstract: This research paper explores English language teachers in community schools in Nepal. This research examines how teachers perceive and understand students with different abilities in the classroom. Recently, the debate on equality and inclusive education in Nepal has attracted attention and discussion, but it has been explained and analyzed in limi...
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Research Article
An Industrial Archaeological Study of Sri Lankan Railway Heritage
Vishwa Mithra Swarna Sri Jayasinghe*
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
150-157
Received:
4 August 2026
Accepted:
12 August 2026
Published:
30 September 2026
Abstract: As a result of the Industrial Revolution during the British Colonial rule, many Civil Engineering and Mechanical Technology heritage were built in Sri Lanka. The aim of this research is to study the Industrial Heritage of Sri Lankan Railway built by the British. In this study, primarily library studies and archives were used to collect data, followed by field exploration and interviews. By the 19th century, with the construction of the railway system in various parts of Sri Lanka, it was possible to easily transport plantation crops as well as fertilizers, equipment and workers to the port of Colombo. Thus, the British built Civil Engineering and Mechanical Technical heritage including bridges and culverts related to the railways spread throughout Sri Lanka. The British built railway stations and other buildings in accordance with Victorian architecture. Also, during the construction of the railway, facilities were provided to store the necessary materials and gunpowder for the construction of the railway. The British built the necessary facilities for the maintenance and operation of the steam engines that ran at this time near the railway stations. The industrial heritage related to narrow gauge railway which are currently not in use in Sri Lanka is also studied through this research. During the British era, various constructions were made for sanitary works and other needs related to the railway system. At present, the Industrial heritage of Sri Lankan Railway are rapidly being destroyed due to development activities and those heritages should be secured.
Abstract: As a result of the Industrial Revolution during the British Colonial rule, many Civil Engineering and Mechanical Technology heritage were built in Sri Lanka. The aim of this research is to study the Industrial Heritage of Sri Lankan Railway built by the British. In this study, primarily library studies and archives were used to collect data, follow...
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