Super Supporter Feature: Ann Forbes

We’re pleased to highlight our friend Ann this month. As an educator and early supporter of Water for South Sudan, Ann has gone above and beyond to bring clean water to communities that need it the most. Learn about her introduction to WFSS and what inspired her to give back. We love her dearly, and we think you will too! Thank you for all you do, Ann. 

Being Open to Possibilities Led Me to Support Water for South Sudan

by Ann Forbes

Curiosity and a desire to inspire youth motivated me to begin my quest. I had recently been hired as a teacher for gifted and talented students. My goal was to find a rich, real-world situation from which I could build a unit of study. During the summer of 2001, the local newspaper ran an in-depth article about a group of Lost Boys from Sudan who had relocated from a Kenyan refugee camp to Rochester. Their situation was one from which much could be learned. I began developing lessons for seminar-style sessions. 

Engaging both elementary and middle school students was seamless. There were so many avenues to explore. For example, imagine that you had never before seen kitchen appliances or an indoor bathroom. Trying to see the place where we live through the eyes of a person from a different place and circumstances empowered students to develop compassion.

As a culminating activity at the end of our unit of study, I invited a group of about a dozen Lost Boys to come to our school on a Saturday morning to speak with students and their parents. A fond memory of mine is a photograph that was taken of the students and young men standing together. 

On that Saturday morning, 20 years ago, I learned that several of the Lost Boys in Rochester had young children. A former carriage house behind an old home on East Avenue had been transformed into the South Sudanese Learning Center. During the summer I began volunteering to help teach a handful of children who were attending. 

South Sudan was not yet an independent country, but the people from that region were proud of their heritage, hence the name South Sudanese Learning Center, or SSLC.  Eventually, my two youngest sons joined me to help. It was there that we met Salva Dut. He was involved in supporting the children.

Salva was living with a loving local family and attending the nearby community college. He was full of energy. His eyes sparkled whenever he spoke. He made you feel like he was delighted to see you. At the time, I had only a vague impression of what his life had been like as a child. 

When Salva founded Water for Sudan in 2003 I knew I wanted to be involved. Salva was a leader whose vision I understood and admired. He has always embodied kindness and generosity as he selflessly helps others. 

Through the years I have attended fundraising hikes, breakfast conversations, and speeches that Salva has given to large gatherings. When Associated Press reporter Ben Dobbin accompanied Salva and his drilling team in Sudan, I read all of his coverage. When the reporter’s wife wrote a breakfast serial story, I devoured it.

Linda Sue Park is the reporter’s wife. Her acclaimed book began as a syndicated column. One chapter was published each week in the local newspaper, for 18 weeks. By the end of that time, I had read A Long Walk to Water at my breakfast table. 

Subsequently, the installments were published as a book. I became inspired. Based on the COWM-CFGE (College of William and Mary, Center For Gifted Education) model, I created a novel guide to accompany A Long Walk to Water. It differs from traditional reading comprehension guides. A handful of questions are offered during the first read. Then a collection of open-ended questions challenge the reader to think deeply and reflectively while re-examining the text.

Over many years I have made variously sized contributions to WFSS. When a relative left some money to me in 2011, I sponsored a well. My name is stamped in concrete. It is a reminder to me of the connection I have with people nearly halfway around the globe. Recently, another well was named to honor my four sons. The date on the well is March 11, 2020. This is the same day that the global pandemic was declared. 

I have been utterly amazed by how Salva and his drilling teams have persisted through the years despite setbacks. When the pandemic struck, WFSS provided crucial access to education about the virus and supplies for mitigation. Where there were clinics without wells, WFSS immediately drilled. 

Ann & Salva in 2015, Rochester, NY

From left to right in 2019- Chip Bradford (Ann’s son), Salva Dut, Unknown guest, Ann Forbes, Ater “Lion” Thiep (WFSS staff member), and Ajang “AJ” Agok (WFSS staff member), Rochester, NY

Ann’s copy of A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, signed by Salva

Whenever I am asked who my hero is, I reply, Salva Dut. He is living proof that one person can make a difference. It is powerful for young people to see how one’s passion can bring forth so much good in the world. 

More than anything, I just love Salva!

Framed photo in Ann’s home that was a gift from Salva

Back of framed photo