Sixth Graders Participate in Water Walk for South Sudan

Inspired by their reading of A Long Walk to Water, by Salva Dut, in English class, 92 sixth graders participated in the annual Water Walk on May 8 to raise money for Water for South Sudan. The walk began on the Barrett Havran Track in Rosacker Stadium with students carrying two one-gallon jugs of water, weighing nearly 16 to better understand the daily journey many people in South Sudan make to access clean water. When a lightning alert forced the event indoors, the students adapted quickly, continuing their four-mile walk through the Middle School hallways – and stairways! – to complete the challenge. 

The Water Walk experience connects directly to the book, based on the true story of Dut, one of Sudan’s “Lost Boys” and the Founder of Water for South Sudan. A Long Walk to Water weaves Dut’s journey in 1985 with the fictional story of Nya, a young girl in 2008 who walks miles each day in search of clean water, highlighting the ongoing struggle for access to clean water. 

Before the walk, students wrote scripts about the experiences of women in South Sudan and then took pledges from family, friends and neighbors for each lap they walked. Even with the unexpected change of venue, students were committed to the cause, walking laps and hallways to emulate what it’s like for people in South Sudan as they walk to get fresh water every day. The goal for each student was to walk 16 laps, or four miles, in an hour. 

This year, students walked a total of — miles. Funds raised from this year’s walk will support future Water for South Sudan projects, such as wells, hygiene stations and well maintenance. The surviving water  jugs were donated to Catholic Charities in Fort Worth. 

This marks the fourth year FWCD has participated in the Water Walk. Over the last three years, the Classes of 2029, 2030 and 2031 have raised over $142,000 for Water for South Sudan, helping fund wells. Since FWCD has been a large contributor to the organization, Salva Dut, the Founder of Water for South Sudan, is coming to Fort Worth June 17-18. During his time here, FWCD will host a community-wide event for anyone interested in hearing from Dut himself and the impact his organization has had in South Sudan.