Water for South Sudan Annual Report. Rooted in Rochester Blooming in South Sudan

Transcription

1 Water for South Sudan Annual Report Rooted in Rochester Blooming in South Sudan 1

2 October, 2016 Dear Friends, We are delighted to share with you the achievements of Water for South Sudan (WFSS) during the fiscal year and drilling season. The past year has seen WFSS s Rochester roots continue to grow and expand, blooming in South Sudan. The drilling season saw a later start than previous years due to delays in design preparation, as well as with suppliers. However, the WFSS team made good use of the delay, repairing 20 wells installed by other organizations. Once the season got underway, the team worked tirelessly to install 20 new wells. Our team drilled an additional three wells in collaboration with Aqua-Africa through our United Peace and Development Project. Twenty-three total new wells drilled this season will serve more than 15,000 South Sudanese villagers who previously did not have access to clean, fresh water. In its third season, the WFSS hygiene team traveled with the drilling team, educating villagers on best hygiene practices and the impact good hygiene has on clean water and better health for all. New initiatives this season came out of the well evaluation conducted in A redesign of the cement platform around wells will lead to greater sustainability. This innovative standard will be incorporated into all future wells. Additionally, the drilling team launched a rehab program to renovate the cement platforms on existing wells to the updated specifications. From its roots in Rochester, WFSS has branched out to all 50 states and to 33 other countries, most recently Cambodia. The widespread support for WFSS fosters development in South Sudan. Quite literally, access to water allows gardens and farms to bloom and life improves for everyone. Infants, children (especially girls), women, and families flourish when they have clean water. Thank you for supporting our efforts to help the people of South Sudan transform their lives. We, and they, are grateful to you! With kind regards, Glenn M. Balch, Jr. President Lynn Malooly Executive Director 2

3 October, 2016 Dear Friends, Thank you for continuing to help Water for South Sudan. I am grateful for your generosity and your belief in us. I never imagined that my dream to drill one well for my father would grow into 282 wells in remote villages in South Sudan. Over one-quarter million people have water because of you. Providing access to water, hygiene, and sanitation will always be the primary focus of WFSS. Even though the world s newest nation continues to have struggles, we remain hopeful that we will have peace and democracy. Regardless of the political climate in South Sudan, people still need water, and we will bring it to them. The political unrest has not impeded our team s ability to work in the field. In a country about the size of Texas, the rural villages where we drill are far away from the conflict that has plagued South Sudan since December of Despite the continued unrest, we remain hopeful for the future of our young country. Being natives of South Sudan, our team has a great advantage. We know the people, the language, the culture, and the tribal issues. We have family and friends in South Sudan and all are committed to rebuilding our country. Thank you for joining us and for your continued support and generosity. With gratitude, Salva Dut Founder and Senior Advisor 3

4 Drilling Season Highlights: Access to Water Despite a late start to the season, the WFSS team drilled 20 new wells. Our United Peace and Development Project with Aqua-Africa added an additional three wells for a season total of 23 new wells. While waiting for delayed supplies needed to begin drilling, our team repaired 20 wells drilled by other organizations. Since 2005, WFSS has installed 282 wells in remote, rural villages in South Sudan. WFSS provides over 250,000 people with access to fresh, clean water every day. WFSS Blog Post on United Peace & Development Project 4

5 Drilling Season Highlights: Sustainability In response to the 2015 well evaluation, the US and South Sudan operations teams studied and improved the cement platforms around the wells. The new design: Strengthens wells with a more robust concrete composition. Significantly reduces animal contact with the well or platform. Reinforces drainage channels susceptible to weather erosion and animal traffic. Directs animals to drinking pools farther removed from the well heads. We know that we have a much better process now, says US Operations Director and Board member Don Fairman. Greater sustainability of our wells means that in the long run we ll be able to help even more people as our wells last longer and have fewer breakdowns. 5

6 Drilling Season Highlights: Hygiene Education The WFSS hygiene team traveled with the drilling team to help villagers improve hygiene practices in every village in which we drill. Four women and four men trained in each village; 184 trained this season. Trained villagers train others, spreading the message throughout community. Good hygiene practices keep the well water clean and lead to better health. 6

7 Drilling Season Highlights: Aruel Ayuel Aruel Ayuel is a 28 year old woman living in Bookanyara village. Bookanyara lies between two streams. Villagers used to access water from the stream via a hand dug well. Aruel said, We always feel sick, with runny nose, fever, stomach pain, and itching throat after drinking water. In 2014, two people were taken to the Carter Center to be treated for guinea worm. WFSS drilled a well in Bookanyara and provided hygiene training. Villagers no longer get drinking water from a hand dug well. Villagers now know to boil and filter water before drinking if necessary. They have learned how to keep the well water from becoming contaminated by washing their hands and cleaning jerry cans. Aruel Ayuel said, I agree to follow good hygiene ways and drink clean water everyday. Thank you Water for South Sudan. 7

8 Drilling Season Highlights: UPDP The United Peace & Development Project (UPDP) began in 2014, with WFSS and Omaha, Nebraska based Aqua-Africa (A-A) coming together to drill water wells in South Sudan. Despite being from the two major tribes, Dinka and Nuer, who have historically been in conflict, Salva Dut (WFSS) and Buey Ray Tut (A-A) saw the value of working together as South Sudanese to help their new country develop. In 2016 the UPDP installed three new wells, for a total of 12 since 2014, in different tribal areas some Dinka, some Nuer. This year UPDP installed wells in Central Equatoria, expanding the reach of both organizations. WFSS and A-A will continue the UPDP, bringing access to fresh water, along with peace and development, in the newest country in the world. Buey Ray Tut, left, and Salva Dut, right, work together to bring water and peace to their homeland. Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace. --Nelson Mandela 8

9 Drilling Season Highlights: Limoba Jory Limoba Jory, a widowed mother of two living in Langabu, Central Equatoria State, cultivates and sells charcoal for a living. The UPDP project brought water to Langabu in 2016 with a new well. Prior to having a well, Limoba had to get water from a six foot hole, surrounded by thirsty bees. She had to leave her children at home despite the threat of child kidnappers. I wait in queue before the sun rises and when it is my turn, I dig until I find water, she said. Limoba shared with the UPDP team that conflict has not impacted day-to-day life, as they live far from the unrest. However, she remarked on her appreciation for having a well. We hear a lot of things, but the only thing I know for a fact about the Nuer and Dinka now is that they give my children clean water. 9

10 Impact of the Political Situation WFSS Remains Committed to South Sudan Water for South Sudan has been an advocate for the people of South Sudan since our founding in 2003, and we continue to support development in the world s newest nation. We began drilling water wells in 2005 and have never wavered from our mission: to deliver direct, transformative and sustainable quality-of-life service to the people of South Sudan by efficiently providing access to clean, safe water as well as improving hygiene and sanitation practices in areas of great need. As a small, nonprofit organization focused solely on South Sudan, we are growing in partnership with the people of this infant country, working at the local level to help them take their first steps toward development. We support our team members in South Sudan as they continue to build their leadership and technical skills, following the lead of our Founder, Salva Dut. We recognize the value and the impact that our team has as role models for their fellow South Sudanese. We joined the world celebrating South Sudan s independence in We are disappointed that the latest conflict, which broke out in 2013, has continued. Along with the people and nations of the world, we condemn the violence and corruption in South Sudan and support a peaceful resolution to the unrest. Water for South Sudan is more committed than ever to our mission, knowing that our work will help bring stability in this emerging young nation. With these efforts, we re deepening our partnership with the South Sudanese people, helping them to determine their own future. 10

11 Future Ambitions WFSS is working to become fully engaged in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector by evaluating its ability to add sanitation to its work. WFSS is exploring a pilot sanitation project to install a latrine in a local school. WFSS plans to rehab wells drilled prior to 2016, incorporating new WFSS design standards. WFSS envisions expanding the UPDP project to help bring peace and democracy to South Sudan. 11

12 Philanthropy: Operating Support Since its beginning, WFSS has raised over $6,466,500. Gifts for operating support ensure that WFSS can continue bringing clean water and hygiene education to areas of great need. WFSS has generous donors in all 50 states and 33 additional countries. WFSS is 100 percent privately funded, receiving no financing from either the US or South Sudan governments. 12

13 Philanthropy: Operating Support Faith-based Groups, $20,597 Civic Groups, $35, DONATIONS: $936,719 Corporate, $20,060 Foundations, $4,626 Faith-based groups, $17,833 Civic groups, $41, DONATIONS: $780,222 Corporate, $5,739 Foundations, $4,800 Schools, $200,035 Schools, $370,301 Individuals, $485,630 Individuals, $510,703 13

14 Philanthropy: Watering the Seeds of Change In 2013, WFSS launched the Watering the Seeds of Change Capital Campaign with the objectives to: Replace outdated drilling and support equipment, allowing WFSS to become more efficient in drilling operations. Bolster critical staff in South Sudan and the US, strengthening operations in both locations. The campaign was publicly announced on World Water Day, March 22 nd, with a press conference. To date, the campaign has garnered over $910,000 in gifts and pledges. 95% ($862,148) of the total pledged has been paid. Make a gift to the campaign 14

15 Philanthropy: A Long Walk to Water Linda Sue Park, Newbery Award-winning author, wrote A Long Walk to Water which chronicles Salva s life and the life of a fictional South Sudanese girl. This year, the book reached sales of 1,000,000 copies and WFSS reached $1,000,000 in donations from people inspired by the book. To celebrate, the publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), donated $15,000 to sponsor a well. In addition, HMH matched employee gifts at 50% in a campaign that raised $16,600 to fund a second well. A Long Walk to Water has been a New York Times Best Seller since

16 Philanthropy: The Iron Giraffe Challenge Salva and friends at 2016 Iron Giraffe Challenge winning school, Daniel Bagley Elementary in Seattle. A Long Walk to Water is a Common Core selection for seventh grade. In response to the many school children wanting to help Salva, WFSS created the Iron Giraffe Challenge. In the book the drilling rig is called the iron giraffe by villagers. The program has had huge success. To date, nearly 230 schools have participated, raising more than $300,000 towards a new drilling rig. This equates to about one-third of the total capital campaign commitments. Children around the world helping the children of South Sudan 16

17 Thank You to all of our friends and donors! 17

18 Balance Sheets August 31, 2015 and 2014 Assets Current Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents Pledges Receivable Total Current Assets Property and Equipment Buildings Vehicles Equipment Less Accumulated Depreciation Net Property and Equipment Other Assets Pledges Receivable Long Term Total Other Assets $ 541,868 41, ,727 $ 97, , ,595 (790,641) 430,114 $ 11,418 11, $ 480,639 40, ,582 $ 97, , ,762 (706,948) 231,339 $ 40,634 40,634 TOTAL ASSETS $1,025,259 $ 793,555 18

19 Balance Sheets August 31, 2015 and 2014 Liabilities and Net Assets Current Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $ 27, $ - Total Liabilities Net Assets Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Total Net Assets TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 27, ,940 45, ,567 $1,025, ,818 80, ,555 $ 793,555 19

20 Financials: Revenues and Expenses, FY DONATIONS: $936,719 Faith-based Groups, $20,597 Corporate, $20,060 Foundations, $4,626 Expenses: $732,890 Program Services Management and General Fund Raising Civic Groups, $35,505 7% 5% Schools, $370,301 Individuals, $485,630 88% 20

21 Financials: Revenues and Expenses, FY 2014 Faith-based groups, $17,833 Civic groups, $41, DONATIONS: $780,222 Corporate, $5,739 Foundations, $4,800 Expenses: $704,041 Program Services Management and General Fund Raising 4% 7% Schools, $200,035 Individuals, $510,703 89% 21

22 Quick Links Water for South Sudan website Water for South Sudan Board of Directors WFSS Member Page on InterAction Water for South Sudan rating information on Guidestar.org BBB Charity Review of Water for South Sudan, Inc. Annual Report of Donors Cumulative Giving List 22