Wells for Hope for South Sudan
Who We Are
Founded in 2014, we are a group of volunteers committed to raising funds to build wells to provide clean water to villages in South Sudan.
In 1983, the outbreak of the Second Civil War in Sudan forced thousands of children to flee their homes. Embarking on a perilous trek to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, these children became known as The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan.
Decades later, in 2011, the people of southern Sudan voted to establish their own nation: South Sudan. Among the Lost Boys was Majok Marier, who resettled in Clarkston, GA, USA. The tragic loss of his sister during childbirth back home spurred Majok into action. He aimed to improve medical care in rural South Sudanese villages, but he recognized that clean water was a prerequisite for any health clinic's operation.
Determined to make a difference, Majok penned a memoir of his refugee journey to fundraise for this vital cause, "Seed of South Sudan: Memoir of a 'Lost Boy' Refugee." Alongside co-author Estelle Ford-Williamson and a dedicated team of volunteers, he established Wells for Hope for South Sudan in 2014.
Today, South Sudan stands as the world's newest country, yet it remains one of the least developed. Women and children often walk up to 12 miles to fetch water, a journey fraught with hardship. Unsafe water sources claim millions of African lives annually, more than all forms of violence, including wars.
Through the generosity of donors and various fundraising efforts, Wells for Hope for South Sudan has successfully provided eight wells, each costing upwards of $10,000, bringing clean, life-sustaining water to hundreds per well.
Join us as we continue to build wells and hope for the people of South Sudan.
Wells 7 & 8 Completed!
Our seventh and eighth wells, in the villages of Luak Mayual and Atiaba, have been completed! Pictured is the well at Atiaba, completed in the summer of 2023. The women of these two villages and hundreds more who will use these wells will no longer have to walk miles to fetch water - and now irrigation for growing food in small gardens will be possible!
As 2024 comes to a close, together, we've raised around $10,000, paving the way for Majok Marier to build another well in South Sudan next summer. Thank you to everyone who has contributed thus far to continue our progress.
Where are our wells?
So far, we have raised funds to successfully build eight wells. Check out the locations of our wells on the map to the left. They are numbered in the order they were built.
Thanks to many contributors from all over, Majok brought a drilling rig to Billing Daldiar, Lakes State, east of Rumbek, in June 2015! Residents are able for the first time to have clean water in their village, and they have begun growing more crops in the dry season, resulting in income for their families.
In spring and summer 2016, two more wells went in, at Mabor Koch, home village of former Lost Boy Stephen Chol Bayok, and Mading Thon. A fourth well was constructed in April, 2018 in the village of Majak. In the summer of 2021, two more villages received these ground water sources. And in 2023, we provided two more at Luak Mayual and at Atiaba.
In summer 2024, we plan to drill our ninth well in the village of Wun-Yar.
Portion of the well request from the village of Wun-Yar, chosen for our next project.
Right: Gardens planted around the well at Atiaba. Villagers are growing kuzuma, wiki, kedhora, pumpkin, okra, cabbages, mangoes, lemon and guarpa thanks to the irrigation that the well makes possible. A village well makes such a difference in hundreds of lives!
Majok addressing the International Convention of BBYO at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta, GA
Majok after speaking to the students of Inman Middle School, Atlanta, GA
Well in use with an honorary tile
Image from the book Seed of South Sudan: Memoir of a "Lost Boy" Refugee, a memoir written by Majok Marier and Estelle Ford-Williamson.
In the news
Mama Gini Eagan honored on 11Alive
Check out the video to see this wonderful tribute to Mama Gini and her role with the Lost Boys.
Majok speaks at Creekland Middle
The Gwinnett Daily Post featured an article about Majok's visit to Creekland Middle School.
Majok's Memoir and Story
The Georgia Bulletin featured a story about Majok's journey and what led him to write a book about it.
A Path Beyond Violence
A Global Atlanta article also tells the story of Majok's path from violence to author and fundraiser.