Without a stable government, South Sudan lacks the basic infrastructure necessary to support its people. Tribal conflicts over water sources, grazing lands, and cattle-raiding add another layer to this problem resulting in the loss of lives, property, and livelihoods. Climate challenges exacerbate the situation. During the rainy season, water is plentiful for villagers, crops, and animals, but during the six-month dry season, life changes for the worse. According to UNICEF, 5.1 million people in South Sudan—more than half the population—live without the most basic access to safe water, sanitation services, and hygiene education.

We partnered with Water for South Sudan to drill a new well in Agok Village, located in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Gazel State. Community members were involved at every step of process: from removing brush, to digging and carrying gravel, to cooking meals for the team. Several community members were trained to maintain and repair the well as needed.  In a community that previously had to walk long distances to fetch dirty water from hand-dug wells, as a result of our partnership 490 people now have access to clean water in their own village!