Salva Dut takes on new leadership role for WFSS

The new nation of South Sudan is experiencing rapid change and development. Water for South Sudan, Inc., is also evolving to strengthen our ability to accomplish our mission of empowering the people of South Sudan's remote villages. Our founder and current president Salva Dut is overseeing operations for this year's drilling season. Beginning in September 2012, he will assume new leadership responsibilties as the organization’s Executive Director for East Africa Operations. He will continue reporting to the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee.

Salva's new role will focus on building and maintaining critical working relationships with Government of South Sudan agencies and departments, as well as national and international Non-Governmental Organizations in South Sudan.  In addition, he will oversee WFSS's banking and supplies relationships as well as supervise, hire and train employees in South Sudan. He will be based in Wau, South Sudan and Kampala, Uganda, where WFSS has its banking and supplies relationships. 

Salva will travel to the US annually, to meet with the WFSS board of directors and to participate in fundraising and development. This new role enables Salva and Water for South Sudan, Inc. to deepen the organization's commitment to transforming lives of those South Sudanese most in need.

WFSS Board Chair travels to Africa

WFSS Board chair Chris Moore meets with a senior executive at Gentex in Kampala, Uganda.WFSS Board Chair Christopher Moore recently returned from a trip to Uganda and South Sudan to observe the financial and procurement areas of our operations in Africa.  Chris was able to meet our contacts in banking, suppliers and vehicle repair, as well as meet with Salva, Ater and other crew members.

Chris first traveled to Kampala, Uganda and was able to meet our bankers and suppliers in person.  He then traveled to South Sudan, first stopping in Juba, before visiting our compound in Wau, where we are establishing a new office.  Salva, Ater and Chris completed an interview process that had begun back in the US.  They interviewed candidates to staff our new administrative office in Wau, and were pleased to hire another former “Lost Boy” to oversee our operations in Wau, and interface with our office back in the US. 

Chris reported that the trip was “life-changing” and he found it most helpful to meet many of the people with whom WFSS does business.  In addition, Chris formalized a new employment contract for Salva and affirmed our immense faith in Salva and all that he does.  “Salva knows everyone,” said Chris, “from the security guard at the airport to high ranking government officials.  He is amazing.”

Donate to WFSS with a text!

You can now donate to Water for South Sudan through texting! 

Water for South Sudan has an on-going project on the global fundraising site GlobalGiving.org. GlobalGiving has recently enabled donating through texting on their site. We have already fully funded one well through GlobalGIving and are working on funding a second well!

To donate via text:  Text GIVE 8334 to 80088 to donate $10 to Build a well in South Sudan for 1500 people. Message and data rates may apply. This only works for US mobile phones.  Read terms here. Read Privacy Policy here.

Visit our GlobalGiving project page here.

We are now Water for South Sudan!

WFSS and friends celebrated South Sudan's Independence in Rochester, NY.

On July 9^th, 2011, the long struggle of the Southern Sudanese people for independence ended as the Republic of South Sudan was born.

In August, 2011 the Board of Directors of Water for Sudan, Inc. voted to change the organization’s name to Water for South Sudan, Inc. (WFSS).  The new name more accurately reflects our organization’s area of operations and removes any doubt about us operating in Sudan, the new Republic’s northern neighbor.

To reflect this change, we’re updating our logo, website and other communications.  This transition will take time, so our current website, www.waterforsudan.org will remain operational and then automatically redirect visitors to the new website when it is up and running.

Thank you for your support as Water for South Sudan continues our mission of transforming lives by drilling water wells in South Sudan’s remote villages.

WFSS builds new compound in Wau

Water for South Sudan is building a new compound in Wau to house our equipment and drilling rigs. This compound gives us a central location from which to work and make repairs, and will also house a new WFSS office.  We are looking to hire an administrator in South Sudan to help facilitate paperwork and communication with the WFSS crews and our Rochester, NY headquarters.

WFSS mourns passing of John Turner, COO

Water for South Sudan lost a dedicated and passionate supporter this summer when John B. Turner, Jr. our Chief Operating Officer, passed away.   John was an integral part of our success, contributing countless hours to overcoming the many challenges of drilling in South Sudan.  John was Salva’s right hand man for many years, working through any and all obstacles that came his way.  He will be missed, but his legacy will live on, in all the wells in South Sudan that his contributions helped to build.

John retired from the Navy after 12 years of service with the rank of lieutenant.   He later became the owner of Cricket on the Hearth, operating several stores in the Rochester, NY area.  He was also a passionate and dedicated Rotarian for over 50 years.  But it was in his retirement that he found his last mission.  Through Rotary John met Salva Dut.  Salva had recently begun his quest to bring clean water to the people of South Sudan.  John too became a fervent advocate and joined the board of directors of Water for South Sudan, Inc. in 2006.  The following year he was appointed Chief Operating Officer.

WFSS Board chair Chris Moore said, "John's dedication to Water for South Sudan was unparalleled. His love of Salva's work and for Salva himself ran deep and will sustain both for many, many years to come. Thank you, John, from the bottom of my heart! Yours is an example we should all strive to emulate."

You can read more about John here. 

Robert Smith named new COO of Water for South Sudan

Water for South Sudan is pleased to announce Robert Smith as the organization’s new Chief Operating Officer.  Bob served as vice COO for the last year and a half, and was hand-picked by COO John Turner to succeed him.

Bob, a native of New York City and graduate of City College, has been a Rochester, NY area resident for 40 years.  Early in his career he worked as a machine designer.  He also owned a construction company and retired after many years of running an engineering consulting firm.  His engineering experience, along with his passion for Water for South Sudan, makes him an ideal match for the organization.  Bob has been a member of many volunteer organizations; he has been an active Rotarian for over 30 years, and has been a member and officer of the Penfield, NY Rotary Club. 

Bob has jumped into the COO role with both feet, and is working closely with Salva to navigate the many details of drilling wells in South Sudan.

Water for Sudan remembers COO John Turner

Water for Sudan is fondly remembering our COO, John B. Turner, Jr., who passed away July 25.  From WFS Board Chair Christopher Moore:  "John's dedication to Water for Sudan was unparalleled. His love of Salva's work and for Salva himself ran deep and will sustain both for many, many years to come. Thank you, John, from the bottom of my heart! Yours is an example we should all strive to emulate."

Read more about John's life of service, as he is remembered as "an old-fashioned gentleman" here.

Another Successful Season and Other Good News

Drilling Season Just Ended — 28 Wells Completed!  
104 Wells Since 2005!

Salva and the WFS crews brought water and life to 28 new villages this season, bringing the grand total of wells completed to 104!

Salva just spent a month in the US for some meetings (related story below) and brought us news of this season’s drilling.  The political situation in South Sudan overshadowed the drilling this year, but our crews were still able to accomplish a tremendous amount.  The teams have drilled 28 wells, ending just as the rainy season began.  While the WFS crews were never in danger, they did need to wait for several weeks after the January 9 referendum, in which South Sudan voted overwhelming to become independent from Northern Sudan, to be certain they could drill safely. As a precaution, the crews only operated one rig so that they could be together and ready to evacuate if any danger arose.

Salva told the WFS board that, “I was worried so much this year about the January voting for South Sudan separation.  Luckily no violence happened in the area where we were drilling. The mood for Southerners was very good toward separation from the North.  The vote was 98 percent for South Sudan separation.”

Salva has returned to Sudan to wrap up the details from this drilling season. Many thanks to our dedicated crews in Sudan for persevering during a particularly challenging time. Thanks as well to the continued dedication of WFS COO John Turner and Vice COO Bob Smith for their work in the US supporting WFS African Operations. And, as always, Salva and all of us at Water for Sudan are deeply grateful to all of our supporters for enabling us to have another successful drilling season.  

Salva Dut Receives Highest Award from Rotary International

 Sally Adelblue, Rotary Past District Governor, John Turner, WFS COO, Salva Dut, WFS Founder & President, Chris Moore, WFS Chair, Jeff Krans, Rotary District GovernorSalva Dut, WFS founder and president, recently received the Service Above Self Award, the highest honor of Rotary International.  The presentation came at the opening event at the District 7120 Conference in Gettysburg, PA.  Of the 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, Rotary International selects 150 Rotarians each year to receive the award that recognizes volunteer efforts and active involvement in projects serving others.

The award was presented by Rotary International President’s Representative Sally Adelblue, a Rotary Past District Governor from Simi Valley, CA.  In giving the award she explained, “The honor is the highest honor that is given. The importance of Service Above Self has long been recognized for Rotarians who understand the power and reward of helping your friends and neighbors in need.  While many Rotarians distinguish themselves through service, it is important to recognize those outstanding few who have indeed made service a way of life.”

A LONG WALK TO WATER Wins Children’s Book Award

A LONG WALK TO WATER by Newbery award-winning author Linda Sue Park has been named the winner of the Jane Addams Children's Book Award. The book is based on the early life of Salva Dut, one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” and founder of Water for Sudan, Inc.

The Jane Addams Children's Book Awards are given annually to the children's books published the preceding year that effectively promote the cause of peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and all races as well as meeting conventional standards for excellence.

Linda Sue Park tells us, “I can't really express how thrilled and honored I am by this award. An award for peace and freedom. Doesn't get any better than that. Best of all is sharing the joy with Salva Dut and Water for Sudan.”

The award is given by the Jane Addams Peace Association, founded in 1948 "to foster a better understanding between the people of the world toward the end that wars may be avoided and a more lasting peace enjoyed."

The Jane Adams Peace Association is the educational arm of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WIPF), founded in 1915 with Jane Addams as its first president. Jane Addams was the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, which she received in 1931.  

A Quick Look at Water for Sudan, Inc.

Water for Sudan, Inc. is a US not-for-profit corporation under section 501(c) 3 of the IRS code. It is based in Rochester, NY and operates in South Sudan.

Water for Sudan, Inc. was founded in 2003 by former “Lost Boy” Salva Dut and a dedicated group of people who became the WFS Board of Directors.  In 2005 WFS began the drilling work that brings safe, fresh water to the people of South Sudan’s remote villages.  To date, in just six years 104 wells have been drilled, transforming the lives of thousands of Southern Sudanese, particularly women and girls, in one of the world’s poorest countries.

WFS does this work with a comparatively small budget and dedicated professionals who volunteer their time and expertise.  We are able to direct 83% of our funds to direct African drilling expenses.  That means that the administrative/management portion of our budget, including fundraising, is just 17%.   According to non-profit professionals, such financial management is an amazing feat for any organization, particularly a small one with a limited staff and so dependent on volunteers and donations.

WFS is governed by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors and financially supported by thousands of individuals, many civic associations, religious congregations, schools, corporations, and foundations enabling this humanitarian work.

Working in South Sudan requires much planning. It is an extremely challenging physical and political environment in which to operate.  In addition, like other non-profit organizations in that country, WFS must be registered with the following entities:

• U.S. Department of the Treasury to conduct humanitarian activities in Sudan including the transfer of funds (Reg. No. SH-98179); 
• Republic of Sudan Government Southern Sudan (GOSS) – Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission; and 
• Government of Southern Sudan Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development.

In addition, WFS is currently registering with the new Government of South Sudan Ministry of Rural Water.

Copies of our IRS letter of determination, all Government certifications, the latest Water for Sudan, Inc. Form 990 and financial statements are posted here.  Water for Sudan, Inc. is also listed in Guidestar, a database of 1.8 million IRS-Recognized Nonprofits.  A full report on Water for Sudan, Inc. can be found here.

2011 Drilling Update, The H2O Challenge, More News

Drilling Update

Thanks to our donors, Salva, Ater, and crews have drilled 12 wells so far this season, bringing fresh, safe water to thousands more people. That brings our current total number of wells to 88.

Water for Sudan Joins H2O Project for The H2O Challenge

WFS is partnering with The H2O Project to give you another way to help us bring clean water to people in need. The H2O Project offers THE H2O CHALLENGE. It is a simple idea:

1. Make WATER your only beverage for two weeks.
2. SAVE the money you would usually spend on other beverages.
3. After two weeks, DONATE the money you saved to Water for Sudan, Inc.

Please help spread the word on this exciting new project!  See complete information here.

Water for Sudan Receives $10,000 Grant from The International Foundation

We are pleased to announce that The International Foundation has authorized a grant of $10,000 to Water for Sudan to drill fresh water wells in Southern Sudan.

The International Foundation exists to help people of the developing world in their endeavors to solve some of their problems, to attain a better standard of living and to obtain a reasonable degree of self-sufficiency.

The International Foundation was established in 1948 to help people of the developing world in their endeavors to attain a higher standard of living. Learn more about The International Foundation.

U.K. Friends of WFS Can Donate Through Global Giving UK

After our very successful “December Challenge” on the Globalgiving website, we submitted a proposal to join the UK Global Giving site. We are pleased to announce that UK donors can donate here.  Donors will receive UK tax receipts and Water for Sudan can continue our mission of bringing safe, clean water to the people of Southern Sudan. Please share this with any family and friends in the UK!

Our current level of donations, on both US and UK Global Giving sites is $11,571 from 145 donations!

Water for Sudan Founding Board Member Passes

Scott Arrington and Salva Dut“Scott Arrington, a founding board member of Water for Sudan, Inc., passed away on February 3, 2011. While Salva had the dream of founding Water for Sudan, Scott made it happen,” says co-founding board member Jim Blake. After the initial business plan for Water for Sudan, Inc. was drawn up, it was Scott who then put the plan into action. He established the Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, bank accounts, and secured overseas registrations. He worked at sub-contracting with others that had a proven record in drilling water wells in Africa. “Scott gave us focus, Scott gave us leadership, and Scott gave us a determined spirit that inspired us to think large,” says another founding board member, John Bevier. “Scott was an incredible person whose giving heart was evident to all who knew him. We shall miss him greatly,” said Board Chair Christopher Moore.