Community members are invited to meet “Lost Boy” refugee Salva Dut and founder of Water for South Sudan on June 18 at 10 a.m. in the Oliver Middle School lower gym (40 Allen Street). Dut will share his story and talk about his work with Water for South Sudan.
Students learned about Dut by reading Linda Sue Park’s book A Long Walk to Water, a poignant, true story about his war-torn village and journey through Africa in search of his family and safety. He ultimately settled in Rochester, NY.
In a district-wide initiative to bring clean drinking water to people of South Sudan, students participated in various fundraisers throughout the year. Students were passionate about this project and community members came through with overwhelming support, helping Brockport exceed its $5,000 goal and raise $8,505.79. Hill School student council will present Dut with a check for a “Brockport Community” well during his visit.
“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, there will be a village in South Sudan with access to clean water,” said High School Library Teacher Kathy Jaccarino. “It is a bit humbling to say the least. What a great lesson for our students about helping our global neighbors.”
Many groups came together to help Brockport Schools with this initiative: Brockport PTSA, various businesses (Lift Bridge Books, Robb Fruit Farm, Image-Pro Embroidery and Screen Printing), Rotary, PEO Sisterhood, area churches including First Baptist Church of Brockport, the Unitarian Church of Brockport and Newman Center, the LIFE Program, Brockport Ambulance and Fire Departments, The College at Brockport, Seymour Library, Drake Library and others.
“Salva rarely schedules school visits since he spends most of his time in Africa building wells and is usually in the states for just a brief time in the summer,” said Jaccarino. “It is a huge honor for us to meet him in person. It has been an amazing journey.”
