Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Friends and Supporters:

I’m most thankful during this Thanksgiving season. I’m especially thankful for my truly amazing friends and supporters whose generosity has enabled me to achieve my dream of building a school for the children of Ariang in South Sudan.

Your generosity has touched many students’ lives as well as their families in Ariang. I hope the bright smiles on the children’s faces will bring you joy and gratitude on your Thanksgiving day and always.

I’m thankful that 500 children are now being educated in Ariang School, especially the 130 girls who are the first generation of females in their families attending school. Their education would not have been possible without the wells-which was through the generosity of many friends and supporters.

My wife Elizabeth and I spent the month of August in Ariang training teachers and talking to the community about the next steps for sustaining Ariang School. The community is so appreciative and pledged to do everything they can to assist in maintaining and sustaining their village school. They realize that there are still many challenges ahead, but they are dedicated and committed to the school’s success so that their children can realize their dream: receiving quality education, which will empower them to be contributing and productive citizens of Ariang and South Sudan.

I will be going back to Ariang this December to oversee the second phase of the  school construction: fencing the school campus, building a separate modest latrine for girls. The youth and women of Ariang will make approximately 450,000 bricks for these remaining projects. Our hope is that the fence will soon protect the school property from cattle and create a distinct learning sanctuary for students and staff.

I’m truly grateful for your friendship and generous support of my dream and vision for the children of Ariang and South Sudan. If you would like to continue to contribute towards these next steps for sustaining Ariang School, you can make a tax-deductible donation online  at www.HopeForAriang.org or by mail at:

HOPE for Ariang Foundation
P.O. Box 6887
Syracuse, NY 13217

I wish you and your family a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

With Deepest Gratitude,

Gabriel Bol Deng