Maj. Rene Grigat's life in Sudan changed after he accidentally ran across Youth with a Mission School in Yei, Central Equatoria State, out patrolling with his colleagues one day.

"We ... noticed the school and an unfinished building ... I wanted to see if there was something that could be done to help, and that's how it all started," said the German Air Force officer, who is serving at UNMIS Yei as a UN Military Observer (UNMO).

The major said he wanted to leave a "positive footprint", showing the children that soldiers could be normal people. "I think this is a good opportunity. You can't do everything, but I think if everyone could do their part, it would be a great effort".

That was three months ago. Ever since, Major Grigat, who holds a Masters degree in Education and Science, has been volunteering at the school, teaching Mathematics and English to the Primary 3 class.

"At the beginning, it was very strange, and the students were shy to answer questions. Now, they invite me to play football with them, they borrow my camera, and they tell me about their families and their lives," the German UNMO said.

He was helped along by "Stulle", a little stuffed animal denoting a figure popular in German children's books, to "get on their (the children's) level".

Maj. Grigat brought Stulle, a gift from his nephew for his first mission abroad in Kosovo in 2005, to Nasser in 2006, where he also served as an UNMO. "Stulle comes to every class, and is the class hero, giving the kids the courage to solve mathematics problems."

His community at home in Germany had been a great help to the school, which is run on private donations and lacking basics like desks, chairs, chalk and porridge, said Maj. Grigat.

"The small school in my hometown, my squadron, friends and family have together raised more than 1,250 euros, as well as donated soccer balls, teddy bears, soccer uniforms, and school supplies," he said.

The money would be used to buy food and books, with some going to the teachers, the major said. "If the teachers are hungry, how can they concentrate on teaching?"