Water for South Sudan

Salva Dut was born in a rural village in southwestern Sudan to the Dinka tribe. At 11 years old, the Sudanese Civil War reached his village and separated Salva from his family. He joined thousands of boys, famously known as the "Lost Boys," on their journey by foot to seek safety in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. After living in refugee camps for 10 years, Salva was given the opportunity to move to the United States, where he was embraced by a family in Rochester, New York. Several years later, Salva learned that his father was still alive in Southern Sudan but was suffering with disease caused by waterborne parasites. His father’s illness inspired Salva to help both his father and his country by bringing clean water to those in need. This was the beginning of Water for South Sudan. 

Salva's story is told in the New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. We finished reading this remarkable novel and we feel inspired to help the people of South Sudan.

South Sudan is suffering from a water crisis. Although Sudan has suffered from water scarcity for decades, it’s descent back into war after the country split has further exacerbated this.

The constant conflict within South Sudan has left the country’s water systems neglected or destroyed. The poor rains combined with the after-effects of the 2011 East African drought, and the decreasing value of South Sudan’s currency contrasted with the rising price of living has depleted the countries’ clean water supply, and made it difficult, and expensive, for the population to access clean and safe water.

When clean water sources are scarce, it is left to the women and the girls to make the journey to find clean water – disrupting or halting the girls attendance at school, and preventing women from working, which in turn places the families under further economic strain.

South Sudan has predominantly relied on aid organisations for water help, however, this has not been enough, and only 55% of people in South Sudan have access to clean water, with this figure set to fall as water becomes increasingly expensive and unaffordable.

Making improvements to water access and sanitation is crucial in South Sudan for the countries future. The issues of conflict, water scarcity and economic hardship are entwined in South Sudan, with progress in any of these areas aiding the others.

This is why we feel compelled to help. Together, we can help people in South Sudan have access to clean and safe drinking water. Let water be a right and not a privilege.

This year, the grade seven students will be doing their first Walk for Water. We are raising money for the organization Water for South Sudan. It is a sponsored walk that will raise money to bring clean water to a community in need in South Sudan.


We will be walking for water on May 6, 2021. Often children carry 50 pound cans for hours each day.  By participating in this activity, we will gain empathy and understanding of what it is to have to walk so many miles each day to fetch water. We walk knowing that every step we take will help someone not have to make this type of walk again. 


Let’s continue to show that  the Academie Marie Claire community is strong and let’s bring clean water to a community in need. Together, we can change lives forever!