Sometimes we take for granted the things we have here in the United States. For example, our schools have classrooms, bathrooms, lunchrooms, hallways, drinking fountains, stairs, and many more convenient and safe features. In this special video series, Homework Hotline will explore what it's like to go to school in another country, specifically South Sudan. We will explore issues of education, diversity and racism in the war-torn country. We will find out how South Sudan is both similar and different to New York State. And we will see how Americans are making a difference from a half a world away.

Here are some facts and information about the video series and South Sudan:

• South Sudan is a country in northeast Africa, south of Egypt.
• Sudan and South Sudan used to be one country but due to civil war, they have become two separate countries because of an ongoing civil war.
• A civil war is a conflict between opposing groups of citizens of the same country or nation.
• "The lost boys of Sudan" were children, mostly boys, between the ages of 7 and 17 who were separated from their families during the conflict in Sudan.
• Beginning in January 2005, young women and girls were allowed to start going to school. Before 2005, girls were banned from going to school.
• Former "lost boys" who are now living in the United States have founded nonprofits and organizations to help develop South Sudan further - building schools, health clinics and providing clean water.

To learn more, visit:

• Schools for South Sudan
• Building Minds in South Sudan
• Water for South Sudan
• CIA's World Factbook - South Sudan
• CIA's World Factbook - Sudan
• CIA's World Factbook - Africa