This past summer, a group of passionate individuals pooled their efforts together to raise funds for their very own Obakki Foundation well in South Sudan. These individuals were Grade 3 kids of Cypress Park Primary School in Vancouver, Canada. We were blown away by their incredible commitment, enthusiasm and will to make a difference (this video is guaranteed to shock and amaze you). Take a look at our archives from May and June 2011 to see these kids in action.
They raised the funds and we drilled the well immediately. It’s been a few months since the well has been in place and the difference it has made is astounding. Now 715 school children and their families have clean drinking water. In South Sudan, it’s not uncommon to have as much as eight members in a single family unit. Accessible clean water also means that children and females in this community no longer have to sacrifice their education and walk long hours carrying 40 kg jerry cans in order to fetch (dirty) water. Clean water also means fewer diseases, a prevalent problem particularly in South Sudan.
We’ve said it before and now it is proving itself: with water comes peace. Villagers are coming from all around and turning in their weapons for water. Such a simple and monumental feat.
100 other wells, just like this one, were drilled last dry season. This season we’re hoping to drill 200 more and we’ve already started. Our Rainmaker Auction on eBay benefits our water projects in South Sudan, with 100% of the proceeds going to wells. The auction goes until Monday November 14th with many great items, including an autgraphed photo by Coldplay, expiring on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So make sure you bid here at: ebay.com/ObakkiFoundation and help spread the word.
After hearing about the impact this well has made, the kids of Cypress Park Primary had some thoughts to share. Remember they are only 8 years old:
“We should make more wells.” -Charlotte
“I am feeling happy because we built a well and stopped wars.” -Kai
“I’m really happy because people are trading their guns for water,” -Aislin
“They don’t have to go and get dirty water anymore. That’s pretty cool.” -David
“I’m still sad because there are people in Africa who don’t have water yet.” -Dax
“I am happy because kids can now have an education and grow plants,” -Zack
“I’m happy because our well helped Africa a lot,” -Tobin
“We have started a trend on making water wells in Africa,” -Jeremy
Love the kids comments!! Our children becomming a part of something greater, and realizing the needs of people so far out of their own sense of reallity is an inspiration in and of itself