Water for Sudan is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to bring fresh, clean water to the people of rural southern Sudan. With our new and improved drilling equipment, we now aim to drill up to 35 wells per year. As of August 2008, we have drilled 29 wells and provided over 80,000 people with uncontaminated drinking water.
To learn more, read our story.
June 29, 2009
Salva Dut, Ater Thiep and Dep Tuany are home and somewhat rested. Fourteen new wells were drilled in 2009 bringing the total functioning wells Water for Sudan has drilled in Southern Sudan to 42! These wells are bringing life and health to the villages they serve every day.
Ater led Team A to drill most of the new wells. Salva worked with Team A and Team B. Dep Tuany led Team B along with board member Burl Jordan to successfully drill their first well in Bor. Team B then made the long arduous trip to Maiwut County with the new drill rig mounted on the new truck.
It seemed that every problem and challenge that could happen did—bank delays on needed funds for equipment, a stolen battery and parts in Kenya, broken down support trucks, etc. One of the trucks almost sank in the river crossing. But after many miles, the team arrived in Maiwut—and Dep was reunited with his mother who he hasn’t seen in 20 years.
But wells were not to be drilled in Maiwut this season. The Aquifer is deeper in Maiwut County requiring longer drilling rods. Additional supplies were secured. But because of the length of time it took to get to Maiwut, there was not enough surface water to prime the pump. Drilling in the Maiwut area will have to wait until the 2010 season.
We are disappointed but not discouraged. Local commissioners in Maiwut have vowed to secure the equipment. Supplies are on hand for the first wells. Plans are being developed for an extraordinary 2010 season.
Return to this site for more details about the 2009 season and our plans for 2010.
Water for Sudan remains committed to do everything we can to provide the simple gift of life that water means to the villages of Southern Sudan.
Make a difference in the life of a child, the health of a village and a future of a people.
March 12, 2009
Water for Sudan has been selected as one of 30 candidates eligible to win the triennial Kyoto Prize. John Turner, COO of Water for Sudan, will attend the World Water Forum: Bridging divides for Water, March 16-22, in Istanbul, Turkey. He will make a presentation about the work of Water for Sudan. The Board of Directors of Water for Sudan is grateful for this opportunity to share the news about the transforming work we do in South Sudan. For more information on the prize click here.
February 24, 2009
Water for Sudan has developed a children’s book that tells the story of Salva Dut and his mission to bring clean drinking water to the people of Sudan. The book was written by Water for Sudan board member Robin Hill and Charles Hall, and was illustrated by Sherry Wright. This book will be used in schools to promote literacy and to educate others about the work Water for Sudan is doing. Help us get the word out! Make a donation for this special project today.
January 25, 2009
Salva returned to Africa on December 25. He picked up the new drilling rig at the port in Mombassa, Kenya, and drove it to Uganda. He is now in Kampala, Uganda, with the two team managers, Dep Tuany and Ater Thiep, buying supplies and other equipment and preparing to send the teams into Sudan to begin the drilling season. Ater will lead the team west of the Nile in Warab State, the general Dinka area where Water for Sudan’s other wells are. Salva will travel with Dep, who will lead a new team east of the Nile in Jonglei and Upper Nile States, Nuer territory. His hope is to drill a well in Ulang County, his home, where his mother can receive the first cup of water. Salva is optimistic that with some new equipment and two drilling teams, this will be Water for Sudan’s most productive season yet.
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