Why We IGC: Fort Worth Country Day
Each month leading up to IGC 2024, we are highlighting the educators and schools that have been instrumental in inspiring and motivating their students to support clean water projects in South Sudan. Next up is Fort Worth Country Day and teachers Shari Lincoln and Anne-Lise Woods!
Last year, Fort Worth Country Day was our Super School Winner, raising over $40,000 during the Iron Giraffe Challenge. They won a video call from our Founder & Chief Strategy Director, Salva Dut, and Country Director, Ajang “AJ” Agok (fun fact: AJ used to live in Fort Worth while he was in the U.S.!)
This year will be Fort Worth Country Day’s second year participating in IGC.
Shari and Anne-Lise shared, “First, the entire 6th grade read the novel, A Long Walk to Water. The story of Salva and how he battled through adversity was incredibly inspiring for all of us. Related to the novel, students learned about the Sudanese Civil War, investigated the plight of refugees, read informational texts about refugees, and learned facts about water-borne illnesses related to dirty water. Students also read articles about how children, particularly girls and women in rural areas, had to leave their homes daily and walk miles to gather water.”
“While exploring the WFSS website, we came across videos that we showed to our students, and we saw the info about the IGC. We invited a local gentleman as a guest speaker who travels to areas in Africa to drill water wells. He shared images of his work and his story, which motivated us as well. The novel, combined with articles, videos, and speakers, prodded us to find a way to help.”
“Our 6th-grade theme is the following: Using the power of story to build empathy and find the courage to take action. We felt that completing a water walk to raise money for WFSS was a way our students could take action that would impact people across the globe—not always easy when you are 12 years old.”
“Finally, we connected our 6th-grade service learning project to Salva's story by partnering with a local charity, Catholic Charities, which is responsible for finding housing for refugees who have recently moved to our community. Once a month, our school picks up a van of young refugee children from Catholic Charities and brings them on campus to engage with our students. They eat together, play games, and participate in a variety of activities, thus building friendships and connections between our students and our newly arrived friends, many of whom are from central and eastern Africa and Afghanistan.”
Shari and Anne-Lise continued, “Our water walk occurred on our campus track. Our students asked neighbors, friends, and family for sponsorship. Sponsors could donate a one-time amount or donate a specific amount of money per lap around the track.”
“I liked the Water Walk because it really helped me experience the hardship of the Sudanese people. This made me a whole lot grateful that we have well running water right where we need it. ”
“I felt helpful after the water walk because I helped contribute money to giving water to people in Sudan. I also felt more empathetic towards them after learning of all the struggles in their daily life.”
“I thought the water walk was a lot of fun because we were doing with our friends. I also liked it because it was for a good cause, which was extra motivation.”
We are so inspired by Shari, Anne-Lise, and the entire Fort Worth Country Day family. Thank you and your students for sharing your time, passion, creativity, and dedication to making a difference in South Sudan.
Join teachers like Shari and Anne-Lise and register for the Iron Giraffe Challenge today to have fun while making a local and global impact.
