Why We IGC: A Conversation with Suzy Ryan

We’re sitting down with some of our most passionately supportive educators to learn why they participate in the Iron Giraffe Challenge (IGC), where schools raise money to fund our clean water projects and have the opportunity to win special prizes, including a visit from Water for South Sudan (WFSS) Founder Salva Dut.

We talked with Suzy Ryan, a dedicated instructor who inspires her students to learn what it means to be global citizens. A Carlsbad (CA) Middle School teacher, Suzy previously taught at Valley Middle School where, under her leadership, students raised over $9,000 for WFSS, bringing clean water to hundreds of people in the communities that need it the most. After organizing and participating in a Walk to Water, the school entered the IGC, winning a video call from Salva Dut in the spring of 2019. That October, Suzy hosted a presentation and A Long Walk to Water book signing at the Carlsbad Library. The event, attended by both Salva and WFSS Executive Director Lynn Malooly, was wildly successful. 

Suzy continues her advocacy for WFSS at Carlsbad Middle School, where her students have already raised $800 for this year’s Challenge.

For more information about the Iron Giraffe Challenge, please click here.

Why did you first decide to participate in the Iron Giraffe Challenge? How did you learn of it?

After ten years of teaching 7th grade, my principal moved me to 6th-grade English and Social Studies. I dragged myself there kicking and screaming there until our curriculum coordinator suggested I teach A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. After reading the book, it ignited a passion in me to teach the book to my students. Not only did it align with the African Social Studies curriculum, but the story of Salva overcoming adversity spoke to my heart of encouraging students that no matter what they suffer, they are not victims, but victors (discussed in the article I wrote for the San Diego Union-Tribune, using Salva as one of my heroes who “changed the world in spite of their adversity.”). As a former at-risk kid myself, my heart's cry is to assure my students they can overcome hardship. When the students who are the same age as Salva read his example of not only enduring shocking misfortune but learning he built a well for the people who, before his eyes, murdered his uncle, it speaks to them. Salva becomes their hero, sparking a connection with them.

After reading the book, I researched how to make A Long Walk to Water an authentic project-based learning lesson and found the Iron Giraffe Challenge. Bingo! What a perfect way to help students have a heart for the less fortunate as they transform themselves into philanthropic citizens during the process.

How did your participation in the IGC enrich the learning experience for your students? What do you think they got out of it?

My heart for my students’ learning is application—how does reading the book change them? It is marvelous for students to learn about Salva—a non-fiction, real-life, resilient protagonist. There are not many main characters with a heart of forgiveness and benevolence like Salva. He inspires students, so I wanted them to apply their knowledge and show how they could give back to less fortunate people. By doing this, the students’ day-to-day struggle doesn't seem as daunting when they connect with Salva's story of using his difficulty to not become bitter, but instead become a better person by giving back to others. A teacher doesn't find a curriculum like Salva's story every day, and I counted my blessings that I could teach my students life-lessons of compassion, generosity, and forgiveness.

What has been the most inspiring part of fundraising with your students? 

The most inspiring part of doing this fundraiser with my students is watching them donate their hard-earned money with such joy. They sacrificed a dollar here, and a dollar there by cleaning the house, going door to door, and sharing their lunch money. The students realized the truth that they could share a portion of their excess abundance of wealth even though before reading A Long Walk to Water; they didn't even know they were wealthy.

Did anything about doing the IGC surprise you?

What surprised me was the parents that also got on board to give. The kids would give a small amount, but the parents would exponentially match that amount. My heart soared at the generosity of our Carlsbad community. I even had large anonymous donations. Impressive!

What would you say to a teacher considering participating in the IGC? Do you have any advice for them?

Any teacher thinking about participating in the Iron Giraffe Challenge needs to be prepared to be touched to the core. The kids learn the life lesson that it is truly better to give than receive. This truth will carry them throughout their life. Finally, the advice Uncle gave to Salva “Just get to the next bush” became the class motto. If we are having a bad day, I’d tell the kids, “Remember Salva. We just need to get to the next class period, and the next, and pretty soon, it’ll be time to go home. If Salva can walk through two countries in Africa, we can get through the day.” It gives students an anchor to pull them through their hard times, which is a win-win for everyone!

Suzy Ryan

WFSS founder Salva Dut speaking to Valley students

A student holding a copy of A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

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!