Iron Giraffe Challenge

Smile of a man in a blue suit with a red tie outdoors, with text overlay promoting a contest to win a visit or video call with Salva Dut.
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Join the fun—and make a difference!

The Iron Giraffe Challenge, a program of Water for South Sudan (WFSS), is a fun and impactful fundraising event where schools compete to support clean water projects in South Sudan. Students, teachers, and communities come together to raise at least $1,000. Schools that meet this goal are entered to win exciting prizes, including a visit from Salva Dut, the founder of Water for South Sudan. Participants also receive a special classroom poster celebrating their efforts. Registration is free, making it easy for schools to join and make a meaningful difference while engaging students in a hands-on philanthropic challenge that creates real social impact.

*Note: Your IGC pledge can count toward a sponsorship.

Contact us to share your interest in sponsoring a clean water project.

For Title 1 schools: when registering using the form below, be sure to select “Yes” for the Title 1 school option.

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A boy walking indoors on a mat, holding two large blue water bottles, wearing a white and blue hoodie with a graphic design, dark pants, and white sneakers with black accents.
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Three students stand behind a table displaying a science project about water conservation at school, with certificates and photos on the table, in a school cafeteria.
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A plush giraffe toy with a donation note around its neck, standing in front of a pink background with blue teardrop-shaped information signs. One sign states that a collection container weighs over 40 pounds when full, and another states that 1 in 9
Six people on a stage presenting a message about water and charity, with a large screen behind them that reads 'PRAY. FAST. GIVE. WATER.' Audience members are seated in front of the stage.
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A school classroom display titled 'Iron Giraffe Challenge' featuring a life-sized cardboard cutout of a giraffe, a large pink paper thermometer chart, and colored sticky notes with water-related facts.
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Three large transparent water bottles with handwritten labels titled "Water Challenge" and different point totals: 721, 703, and 725. The bottles are filled with money and coins, placed on a classroom desk.
Two girls holding a yellow poster with text about raising funds for clean drinking water in Sudan, standing in front of motivational posters on a school wall.
Two young girls smiling and paddling a homemade cardboard boat in a swimming pool, with other participants and onlookers in the background.
Two young men sitting behind a decorated table with informational materials and decorations, next to a small festive Christmas tree, in a room with a closed wooden door.
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A group of people walking on a paved path in a park, each carrying a gallon-sized water jug on their heads. The scene is outdoors with leafless trees and a clear blue sky.
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Group of five girls holding a yellow banner that reads "Iron Giraffe Challenge" at an indoor event, with posters and photos displayed on the wall behind them.
Group of children standing in a line outdoors, holding water jugs, in front of a brick building and a tree, on a wet sidewalk during overcast weather.
A group of children and their teacher standing outside a brick school building called Loveland Intermediate and Middle School. The children are holding water bottles and are dressed in casual clothing, some wearing purple shirts for a 3rd-grade event
A man and woman standing together on a track field, with children sitting on bleachers in the background. The man is wearing a white T-shirt with a water droplet logo and the text 'Water for South Sudan,' and the woman is wearing a colorful blouse. T
A group of children and an adult walking on a red running track outdoors, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
Three children standing indoors at a donation or aid station, holding water containers and papers. One girl on the left holds a large bottle of tea on her head, the girl in the middle holds a water jug and a paper, and the boy on the right also holds
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Group of children standing outdoors in a line, holding gallon containers labeled 'drinking water' on their heads, participating in a water distribution event.
Display about water conservation with a water droplet sign, a transparent container, a yellow wooden model house, photographs, and informational posters on a table.
Two children's books on a display table, 'A Thirst for Home' and 'Nya's Long Walk,' with a sign saying 'Water is a Human Right' and small tags indicating they were bought with H2O.
Group of seven children and one adult woman, all smiling, pose in a classroom in front of educational posters about South Sudan. The group includes four girls and three boys, some wearing black T-shirts with white text, while others wear colorful clo
Group of children and adults posing outdoors on a grassy field, with some holding jugs, in front of a swimming pool, wearing T-shirts with a logo for a charity event.

Step 1

Start by filling out an Iron Giraffe Challenge Registration Form.

Please note: While multiple classes from the same school are welcome to fundraise for the IGC, the school will receive only one entry in the drawing.

Already registered for 2026-2027?

View Registered School

Registration is now closed for the 2025-2026 school year. If you are interested in signing up for the 2026-2027 IGC, please contact Sheetal, Fundraising and Outreach Coordinator at sheetal.pandey@waterforsouthsudan.org

IGC 2025-26 dates & deadlines

  • Registration deadline: April 3, 2026

  • Funds due: April 17, 2026

  • Live drawing: May 1, 2026, 12pm EST

A group of children standing in a line outdoors, each holding a large plastic jug on their heads, with some smiling and others looking focused.

Step 2

As you plan (or continue) fundraising, bookmark this page and make sure to check out these resources.

Prizes & rules Fundraising Packet Donation Information
Challenge Checklist Letter from Salva
Printable Fundraising Thermometer

Please send donations by check along with a Donation Summary Form.

For international schools interested in submitting funds via wire transfer, please fill out this form.

Donation Summary Form
Download our W-9
Contact us

Step 3

Begin (or continue) fundraising! As part of IGC registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional information on how to create a fundraising page through GiveLively.

Please use Water for South Sudan's fundraising platform, GiveLively, rather than creating a separate GoFundMe page, so we can ensure your donations are directed where they’re needed most.
A link to our fundraising platform is provided at the time of registration for IGC.

You are under no obligation to use the online fundraising page.

For additional support, contact us.

Access your fundraising page

 Click below for a special message from Salva!

What is an Iron Giraffe Drill?

Fun fact: The Iron Giraffe Drill refers to the drill used to dig for wells, such as in the photo on the left!

Students, teachers, and schools like you make our work possible. We are immensely grateful for your tremendous fundraising efforts and united passions, ultimately coming together to water the seeds of change in South Sudan.

If you are interested in sharing how the Iron Giraffe Challenge motivated and inspired your school to help make a difference, please fill out this form.

If your community group is interested in participating in the Iron Giraffe Challenge, please contact us for more information.

Learn more about Why We IGC

“The Iron Giraffe Challenge empowers students to become global citizens through meaningful service. By participating, they don’t just learn about the world—they actively shape it, seeing firsthand how their efforts help expand access to clean water and strengthen communities in South Sudan.”

— Shannon Hesel, Executive Director