WFSS crews drilling near Wau, South Sudan in March, 2012

Water for South Sudan continues its 2012 drilling season.  As of mid-April, 25 new wells have been drilled, bringing our new total to 129 wells since 2005. Each well serves from 1,000-3,000 people, bringing new water and new possibilities to a village.  Drilling will continue until the rainy season starts, sometime in the next few weeks.

Thank you to our president and founder, Salva Dut, and drilling manager, Ater Thiep (aka Lion), for their constant dedication and determination to overcome any obstacle and bring fresh clean water to those who need it.

WFSS Team Travels to South Sudan

Don Fairman, Salva Dut, Orin Abrams and Adanan, WFSS crew member, inspect well.

WFSS sent an operations team to South Sudan in late February and early March to witness drilling operations firsthand, and to check on and further document previously drilled wells.  Board members Bob Smith, Don Fairman (Rochester, NY) and Chuck DuVivier and WFSS supporter Orin Abram (Orange County, CA) spent several weeks with our South Sudan operations teams.  This was DuVivier's 10th trip to Africa, and his second to South Sudan.  

"South Sudan is one of the most difficult places in the world to work," said DuVivier. "It's remarkable that Water For South Sudan has been so successful year after year.  This visit allowed me to see the drilling operations, and verify that older WFSS wells are still working.  WFSS provides maintenance training for someone chosen by the villagers to monitor the wells, but we also learned that the United Nations Mission In South Sudan (UNMISS) has pledged to provide maintenance funding and oversight for all the wells in South Sudan. Each payam (town), district and state now have Government of South Sudan employees, supported by the UNMISS, who have spare parts and are able to make repairs if a well is in need.  I am more confident than ever that these wells will continue to work for many years to come."

The team observed drilling operations and helped oversee construction of the new WFSS compound.  They also documented work-flow processes and made suggestions for improving our operations.  We are always looking for ways to improve upon our mission of transforming lives in South Sudan.

Given the immense challenges of drilling in one of the world's poorest countries, the team came home thoroughly impressed with the hard work and dedication of the drilling teams.

"Through extraodinary, can-do attitude and skill, Salva's been able to organize a well-drilling operation that has completed over 120 [Ed. note: at the time of the visit] wells in South Sudan," noted DuVivier.  "Hard work and ingenuity by WFSS’s workers contributes significantly to this success."

Talk the Walk to Water:  Salva & Linda Sue Park June 15

Linda Sue Park and Salva DutWe are pleased to announce a very special event this summer:  WFSS president and founder Salva Dut and Newbery Award-Winning author Linda Sue Park will headline "Talk the Walk to Water- An Evening with Salva and Linda Sue."  

Linda Sue is the author of A Long Walk to Water, which tells the true story of Salva's journey from South Sudan as one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan, alongside the fictional account of a young girl in South Sudan today.  Linda Sue was awarded the Jane Addams Children's Book Award for the book.

The event is set for Friday, June 15, 7PM at Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester, NY 14614.   City parking is available nearby.

Salva will give an update on this drilling season and Linda Sue and Salva will talk about the story behind A Long Walk to Water.  We will also have pictures and video from this drilling season.  A reception and book-signing with Linda Sue will follow. 

We hope our Rochester-area friends can join us for this special evening.  Event is free and open to the public.  Please check here for further details.

Much preparation precedes the actual drilling.  All equipment must be inspected and necessary repairs made.  Supplies for the entire season, with enough material to drill at least 30 wells, must be procured.   Many of our supplies are still bought in Uganda.  Salva and Ater must make arrangements to get materials to South Sudan — by truck or by air. Crossing the border into South Sudan and clearing customs can result in delays. Food and water for all WFSS crew members must be obtained.  Then drilling can begin.  Reports from South Sudan indicate that our crews are safe and able to travel and do their drilling work.

WFSS President and Founder Salva Dut reflects on the 2012 drilling season.  "We are glad to get back to drilling wells," says Salva.  "We are now Water for South Sudan, drilling for the first time in the new country of South Sudan. There is much hope among the people for their new country.  We are glad to be here helping people make a new start.  For many, that first step starts with fresh, clean water."

Plans are still on track to drill 30 wells this season. 

 WFSS Establishes New Compound and Office in Wau

Water for South Sudan crews are putting the finishing touches on the new compound and office buildings in Wau. One building will be used for storing equipment, including all drilling equipment during the rainy season, and the other will serve as an office for our African operations.  We have hired two administrators — one short term to set up the office and establish procedures, and another to run the office. Previously our president, Salva Dut, handled all administrative matters in Africa, in addition to his duties as drilling manager and president.  We are looking forward to improved communication from Africa and smoother functioning in general.

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.

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 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.

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.

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

In a story about the referendum on January 9th, 2011 PBS Need to Know featured Salva Dut and Water for Sudan.  From the PBS Need to Know website:

"On Sunday, the people of Southern Sudan will begin voting on whether to remain part of a unified Sudan or become an independent state. Sudan, Africa’s largest nation, is an oil-rich country run by Islamist Arabs. What happens there matters to all of us for strategic and humanitarian reasons. Here’s what you need to know:

"For generations, southern Sudan has been dominated by the Islamist-run government in Khartoum, which has sought to impose Sharia law on the south’s Christians and animists.

"Religion is one of the main causes of two bloody civil wars that have killed two million southern Sudanese. Another point of contention: control of Sudan’s oil reserves that lie mostly in the south and along the border with the north. If, as expected, the south votes to secede, many fear another wave of violence, despite assurances from Sudan’s president, Omar al Bashir, that he will accept the results of the election: 'If the south secedes, we will welcome it.'

"But can Bashir be trusted? He has been indicted as a war criminal for his brutal military campaign against rebels and civilians in Darfur. That fighting, which began in 2003, has left 300,000 dead. Need to Know sent producer George Lerner to southern Sudan to report on one former refugee’s efforts to help rebuild his homeland in anticipation of a vote for independence."

While we are busy wrapping up the year here, Salva and his crews have been busy drilling near Wau in Southern Sudan.  Thanks to our donors and supporters, they have already completed three wells as of December 27th and are ready to start a fourth!  

Salva left for Africa at the end of September to begin preparations.  Team A Manager Ater Thiep left Texas for Sudan in early November.  It takes a lot to prepare for a new drilling season — checking all of our equipment, buying all supplies needed and then transporting everything.  Crossing the border from Uganda into Sudan was a challenge this fall.   But all is in place now and Salva and crews are on their way to another successful drilling season.

WFS Awarded Permanent Placement on Global Giving Site

While our Annual Appeal continues, Water for Sudan, Inc. now has another vehicle to reach on-line donors — globalgiving.org. Along with a number of other non-profits, we were chosen to be included in their "December challenge."  Our goal was to raise $4,000 from at least 50 donors to obtain permanent placement on their on-line giving website.  We raised a total of $9,082 from 77 donors!  We are excited at this opportunity for greater visibility, to reach donors who might not otherwise have heard of us. Thank you to all who helped us reach this goal!

Salva and WFS to be Featured in PBS "Need To Know" Program Friday January 7th

The national PBS show "Need to Know" will broadcast a documentary on Friday, January 7th that focuses on the upcoming referendum on January 9, 2011, in which the Southern Sudanese will vote on whether to secede and create their own country.  Salva and Water for Sudan will be a featured part of the documentary.  A PBS filmmaker is currently in Sudan with Salva, filming him and his crew.  "Need to Know" airs Friday nights on WXXI-TV in Rochester from 9-10 PM.  Please check your local PBS station listing to determine when it airs in your city.

This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Life

Water for Sudan brings fresh, clean water to villages that previously had none.  This is truly the gift of life.  A new well means girls and women no longer have to walk miles each day to gather water for their families.  Clean water means no more water-borne diseases.  Please help us continue to give the gift of life.  You can donate through our website here.

Water for Sudan has been approved to participate in Global Giving's "December Challenge." 

The December Challenge requires Water for Sudan to raise $4,000 in on-line donations via the Global Giving website from at least 50 donors between now and December 22.  If we succeed in this challenge Water for Sudan will be permanently listed on Global Giving's on-line donation website.  This would increase our visibility and possibility of donors both in the US and world-wide, enabling us to bring safe, fresh water to more people in Southern Sudan.

You can view our project page and make donations directly: click here.

Please help spread the word by tweeting, posting on Facebook, or sending an e-mail to family and friends who might be interested in supporting us in this endeavor.  The minimum donation is $10.  All donations are tax-deductible and will receive a tax receipt by e-mail.  In addition, Global Giving will award grants to the organizations who raise the most and to those who recruit the most donors during this month long challenge.  Global Giving is a registered 501(c)3 organization whose vision is to "Unleash the potential of people around the world to make positive change happen."

This does not replace our annual appeal, it is merely another avenue for us to raise funds and awareness. You can also follow our progress on our Facebook page. 

New Book Published

Featuring Salva Dut 

Newbery Award winning author Linda Sue Park has just published a new children's book featuring Salva Dut, based on his life story. 

Linda Sue Park will be making several appearances for presentations and book signings locally:

Dec 6, Mon,  Noon
Presentation and signing

Monroe Community College Damon City Campus, 4193, Suite 500, 228 E Main St., Rochester, NY

Dec 6, Mon,  7 PM
Presentation and signing

Monroe Community College Brighton Campus Theatre, Building 4, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY

Tickets  $7.00 for the general public, available free to MCC students, faculty and staff

Sponsored by: Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Project
Contact: Jodi Oriel, joriel@monroecc.edu
Tickets: www.MonroeCCTickets.com

Dec 11, Sat, 1:00-3:00 pm
Barnes and Noble, Pittsford, NY

Annual children's authors holiday booksigning

Visit Linda Sue Park's website for other events scheduled around the US.

Read reviews of the book here.

View a video interview with Salva Dut and author Linda Sue Park.

Update from Sudan

Villagers gather as an assessment is made about borehole placement.

Since arriving in Sudan earlier this fall, Salva has been traveling to gather supplies, making assessments, which is the process of figuring out where wells will be drilled, and planning the 2011 drilling season. Ater Thiep, Team A Drilling Manager, left the US in early November to join Salva.

Salva attended a Rotary meeting in Juba in November.  Water for Sudan is pursuing Rotary grants from Rotary International and the Juba club is helping sponsor one.  Rotary continues to be a major supporter of our efforts.  Water for Sudan will receive $32,000 from a group of four CA Rotary groups this drilling season.

You can also follow Salva's progress on our Facebook page.