August 26, 2016
Dear Teachers and Students:
Two years ago, I began the Iron Giraffe Challenge to help raise funds towards the purchase of a new drilling rig, or
“Iron Giraffe” as villagers call it in the book A Long Walk to Water. Since then, over 200 schools from across the
United States and four other countries have raised over $300,000 towards this major equipment purchase. I can’t
thank you enough for your support of our work.
Because we still have money to raise, I am issuing another challenge for the 2016-2017 school year:
The 2017 Iron Giraffe Challenge calls on schools to each raise a minimum of $1,000 toward a new drilling rig,
with a goal to raise $125,000. All participating schools will be recognized, and all who complete the challenge
will be entered in a drawing to win a visit with me. Additional prizes will also be awarded, including Skype calls
with me or Linda Sue Park, author of A Long Walk to Water and Water for South Sudan’s Ambassador for
Education.
Will you take the challenge?
The following pages contain information about the 2017 Iron Giraffe Challenge (IGC) and well sponsorship. I hope
schools from across the country and around the world will participate. If you have friends or family in other
schools, please consider sharing news about the IGC. Maybe you could challenge them to see who can raise
more!
Pledge forms are due February 15, 2017 and all IGC donations must be postmarked, or received online, by
March 31, 2017 in order to be included in the drawing.
Schools are a major source of support for WFSS. Words cannot express how much I appreciate the schools,
teachers, librarians, and young people around the world who work to support WFSS. I am also so very grateful to
my friend Linda Sue Park, who has been very generous in helping Water for South Sudan achieve its goals.
Thank you for all that you do for Water for South Sudan, and the children and families of South Sudan.
Warmest regards,
Salva Dut
Founder & Senior Advisor
Water for South Sudan, Inc., PO Box 25551, Rochester, NY 14625
585-383-0410 www.waterforsouthsudan.org
2017 Iron Giraffe Challenge Pledge Form – Due Feb. 15, 2017
Children around the world helping the children of South Sudan
Yes, we at the ________________________________________________ School accept the Iron Giraffe
Challenge and will work to raise ___ $1,000 ____$6,000 ___$15,000 by March 31, 2017. *
School Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Contact Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Contact Email: _____________________________________ Phone: ____________________________
School Address: _______________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: ________________________________________________________________________
School Website: _______________________________________________________________________
School Facebook Page: _______________________ Twitter Handle: ____________________________
Instagram: _______________________________________
__ We have referred the Iron Giraffe Challenge to the following schools: _________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
__ We were referred to the Iron Giraffe Challenge by ____________________________________School
* Please note: a goal is just that, a goal. If you fall short there is no obligation to make up the difference.
Salva and everyone at Water for South Sudan will be grateful for every contribution received – no matter
how large or small – toward the Iron Giraffe Challenge. Thank you for all that you do to help us bring
clean, safe water to the people of South Sudan.
Please email this form to [email protected], or mail to Iron Giraffe Challenge,
Water for South Sudan, PO Box 25551, Rochester, NY 14625 by February 15, 2017. Forms may also be
faxed to 585-383-0970.
Questions? Please write to [email protected]
Water for South Sudan, Inc., PO Box 25551, Rochester, NY 14625
585-383-0410 www.waterforsouthsudan.org
2017 Iron Giraffe Challenge Summary
Children around the world helping the children of South Sudan
The challenges of drilling wells in the remote villages of South Sudan include the fact that in many places there are
no roads – sometimes even dirt roads do not exist. This puts a tremendous strain on our vehicles, causing
frequent breakdowns. Our drilling rig—the Iron Giraffe— is approximately ten years old and on its last “legs.” In
order to continue our work, it is critical that we buy a new Iron Giraffe at a cost of about $500,000.
Salva hopes that schools will help us raise funds for our new Iron Giraffe by each raising a minimum of $1,000.
Each school that completes the challenge, raising at least $1,000, will get one entry in the Iron Giraffe Challenge
drawing for the following prizes:
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
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First Prize: A visit to your school with Salva Dut*
Second Prizes: A 20-minute Skype call with Salva Dut (3 prizes awarded)*
Third Prizes: A 20-minute Skype call with Linda Sue Park (3 prizes awarded)*
NEW THIS YEAR! SUPER SCHOOL AWARD: Skype call with Salva for school raising the most funds
between August 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017!
Increase your chances of winning! Schools that enlist other schools in the challenge will get an additional entry in
the drawing — one for each referred school that completes the $1,000 challenge by the March 31, 2017 deadline.
RECOGNITION
 Each school raising $1,000 or more will receive an Iron Giraffe Challenge banner** and 2016-17 button.
 Schools that completed a previous IGC challenge will get a new 2016-17 button for their banners.
 Schools that raise $6,000 or more will share naming rights on a well.
 Schools that raise $15,000 or more will get solo naming rights on a well.
Additional Information:
 Please send in pledge forms with intent to participate by February 15, 2017.
 Funds must be postmarked or donated online by March 31, 2017.
 Schools may not use IGC funds donated last year nor carry over funds to future years.
 We prefer that schools process checks and send WFSS one check, or donate online. Click on “Watering the
Seeds of Change Campaign” under “How to Help.” Donations may also be sent to Water for South Sudan,
Inc., PO Box 25551, Rochester, NY 14625. Schools are encouraged to send donations with tracking in order
to ensure receipt by our office.
*Visits and Skype calls subject to Salva Dut and Linda Sue Park’s availability which will require flexibility given Salva’s South
Sudan location and Linda Sue’s schedule. We will make every effort to provide a Skype call if an in-person visit is not possible.
Each school will be eligible for only one visit or Skype call with Salva.
** Banner dimensions: 14” x 20”
Iron Giraffe Fundraising Ideas
Children around the world helping the children of South Sudan
Water for South Sudan has updated its website to provide a broader offering of materials to
support curriculum and fundraising efforts. Visit www.waterforsouthsudan.org/resources-foreducators/. You can also click on our “How To Help” for more information.
Here are some fundraising ideas other schools have found helpful:
 Set up an online fundraiser on Crowdrise or Water for South Sudan’s fundraising
platform: https://water-for-south-sudan-inc.givecorps.com/projects/16656-2017iron-giraffe-challenge
 Take the H2O Challenge – drink only water and contribute money saved by not
purchasing other beverages
 Partner with a local Rotary Club or other civic organization, faith communities, or
businesses that might help or match the funds you raise
 Plan weekly events, possibly using a theme of “Water Wednesdays”
 Organize a run / walk, distance swim, bicycle, or hike event
 Collect bottles and return for deposits
 Raise funds in memory of a lost loved one
 Hold a dance marathon / run dance concessions
 Ask family and friends to donate to the Iron Giraffe Challenge instead of buying gifts
for birthdays, holidays, or other milestone events
Follow WFSS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and additional prizes throughout
the year. We love to shout out to schools on social media. Please send information and
electronic photos about your fundraisers to [email protected] and we’ll do
our best to promote your school to our followers around the world.
Water for South Sudan, Inc., PO Box 25551, Rochester, NY 14625
585-383-0410 www.waterforsouthsudan.org