Sudanese community groups as well as government officials now have access to a library, computers and educational programmes in the newly opened Maridi Resource Centre.

Renovated as an UNMIS Quick Impact Project (QIP) by the Bangladeshi Battalion, with the support of the Maridi County administration, the three-room building was officially opened in a ceremony on 23 January 2008 by UNMIS Force Commander Lt.Gen. Jasbir Singh Lidder.

"This Resource Centre was built from community resources and … funding from the Bangladeshi contingent as a landmark for peace in Sudan," the Force Commander told the gathering. The event also included songs celebrating the centre by the Maridi and Fire Brigade choirs.

The Centre's facilities will benefit local officials as well as such community groups as the Maridi Women's and Youth Associations. It also aims to assist adults and children who lack access to formal education through training courses, which will include adult literacy programmes and crash courses in computer skills.

Also attending the ceremony were representatives of the Sudan People's Liberation Army, Joint Integrated Units, UNMIS' Sector Commander, Maridi's Acting County Commissioner, government officials, church leaders and Maridi community groups...

The building was completed in September 2007 at a total cost of about $7,000.