<P> Water for South Sudan (formerly known as Water for Sudan) is a US 505 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to create access to and monitor safe drinking water for communities located in remote rural areas of South Sudan . The goal of Water For South Sudan (WFSS) is to increase the quality of life and health of families in South Sudan by drilling wells to provide fresh, safe potable water . </P> <P> The history of the organization centers on its founder, Salva Dut . In 1985, Sudan was wracked by the Second Sudanese Civil War . Millions died while millions more were displaced, fleeing to refugee camps in Ethiopia, Kenya, and other neighboring countries . Finally, in 2005, after over two decades of war, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed . A truce was declared and the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan was established for that region . </P> <P> Among those who originally fled through barren, war - torn southern desert were thousands of children, mostly boys, some as young as five . They became known as the "Lost Boys of Sudan ." Salva Dut was one of those boys . As an 11 - year - old Dinka from Tonj in southwest Sudan, Dut fled first to Ethiopia . Then, as a teenager, he led 1500 "Lost Boys" hundreds of miles through the southern Sudan desert to the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya . Relocated to Rochester NY USA in 1996, he now leads Water For South Sudan . </P> <P> Salva Dut founded Water For South Sudan in 2003 as a non-profit organization . In 2005, drilling operations began . Five wells were drilled in Sudanese villages in the first year . Since then, over 300 wells have been drilled, each serving approximately 1,000 - 1,500 people . It costs WFSS approximately $15,000 per well which includes ALL costs related to drilling such as overhead (less than 20%). </P>

Who provides support for the water for south sudan project