What’s New

BloodSource Employees Who Provided Funding for a PES Water Well Present a Check to PES Executive Director

This is Velocity of Generosity at work — BloodSource California employees touching lives throughout the region and across the world. BloodSource employees understand the importance of giving back to our community. Through the countless acts of BloodSource employee generosity, families are fed, sick and needy children receive toys, money is raised to help fund cancer research and other diseases and water wells are being drilled for clean water in South Sudan.

On November 22, 2011 BloodSource employees at Mather, CA presented Carol Francis-Rinehart, Executive Director of Project Education Sudan with the resources to drill the second BloodSource employee funded water well. The second well was drilled in Gopmeth, South Sudan, to serve around 5,000 people and children. Project Education Sudan is a non-profit organization helping build, staff, train and supply primary schools for children and communities in the most rural part of South Sudan, Africa.

Watch the Velocity of Generosity Celebration of BloodSource employees who touch lives throughout the region and across the world:

Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund Funds Bunk Beds for 104 Girls at Ayak Anguei Girls School

World population is over 7 billion people, the majority of whom are women in developing countries who live in poverty. Gender disparities in economic power-sharing, in education, and access to adequate health care — all contribute to the oppression of these women.

Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (VGIF) is meeting the seemingly insurmountable challenges of combating poverty and achieving gender equality in developing countries. VGIF has contributed in excess of $1.5 million USD to support over 350 projects worldwide to help… one women’s group at a time… alleviate these problems.

Thanks to VGIF, one of our major funders, who have made possible the recent delivery of 104 bunk beds at Ayak Anguei Girls Boarding School. Their contribution has made a significant difference in the lives of the girls who now can stay on campus to continue their studies without sleeping on the floor.

“This is a joyous day in life to sleep on a bed or snake bites enjoying my sleep.”
– Orphan: Adior Bul Deng P2

“We are free from scorpions and other insect bites now that we are not sleeping on the floor.”
– Orphan: Acok Kuol Reng P3

“We waited so long but at long last we are excited to sleep on the new bunk beds.”
– Orphan: Yar Acheik Magar P2

South Sudan Program Director Daniel Majok Gai Announces His Marriage to Yom Mach Anuul

“I just want to inform you, my friends, volunteers, PES’s donors, and Board of Directors that I have successfully married my future and beautiful wife on December 26, 2011. Indeed I’m grateful and I want all of you to share the happiness and love of beginning my new life’s adventure.”

We are so very happy for Daniel and Yom. Their match was made in heaven!

South Sudan, the World’s Newest Country PBS Mini-Documentary Produced by Tamara Banks

The Journey of Hope 2011 trip this past spring included Emmy Award-winning Journalist Tamara Banks. Tamara has been working in South Sudan on a documentary about it becoming a new nation and chose to travel with Project Education Sudan to include our work in her documentary. On March 30, 2011 she debuted a mini-documentary on Daniel Gai and PES on her PBS Show, Studio 12.

Tamara Banks - Executive Producer, Correspondent, Photographer
Heather Dalton - Editor
Jim Hucks - Director of Photography
Colorado Public Television Production Studio

View the documentary on YouTube.

11.11.11 One Day on Earth

Project Education Sudan was once again invited by One Day on Earth to participate with documentary filmmakers, schools, non-profits, students and inspired citizens to document the amazing diversity, conflict, tragedy, and triumph of the human experience over a 24-hour period around the world. This year 11.11.11. we will be filming in South Sudan with Daniel Majok Gai, PES South Sudan Director, behind the camera capturing the voices and landscape of the newest country on the world, The Republic of South Sudan.

Through this collaborative platform, One Day on Earth will create a 120-minute documentary to be released theatrically that will capture the diversity of life and culture on this planet.

South Sudan Film Maker, Daniel Majok Gai – PES South Sudan Director
Daniel Majok Gai is a former “Lost Boy of Sudan” who is a PES Board Member and PES South Sudan Director in Bor County, Jonglei State, South Sudan-the most impoverished and remote area of the country. He was highlighted in 2011 One Day on Earth 10.10.10 PES film: Referendum: Diaspora Perspective. This year Daniel is filming in South Sudan capturing the voices and landscape of students at Pagook Primary, Ayak Anguei Girls Primary, local Dinka village chiefs, elders, school head masters and head matrons, and women’s groups. He will also capture the day in the life of Dinka peoples: cattle, grain grinding, water fetching, children, singing, and dancing. Also covered will be interviews of Ministry officials and village elders on their new freedom from the North as the newest country in the world: The Republic of South Sudan.

Director/Producer, Carol Francis-Rinehart – Executive Director Project Education Sudan
Carol was the director/producer of last year’s 10.10.10 PES film Referendum: Diaspora Perspective, director/producer and script writer for Journey of Hope and Executive Producer of One Story: Isaac Khor Bher Directed by Craig Volk. She is a former secondary teacher who has 25 years of refugee resettlement in the United States. Her work with the Sudanese “Lost Boys” began with their arrival in 2001. She is recognized nationwide for her activism and consulting on behalf of the South Sudanese. In 2006, along with “Lost Boy” Isaac Khor Bher, she founded Project Education Sudan to support the creation of an educational infrastructure in rural South Sudan. She has been a Delegate to the United Nations Commission of the Status of Women 2008 and 2012 and has a particular interest on equal education for girls. Carol leads annual monitoring and working trips to South Sudan to promote the work of PES.

2011 Half the Sky* Fair

November 5 and 6, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Women’s College of the University of Denver
The Garden Room
1901 E. Asbury Avenue
Denver, CO 80208

“Women hold up half the sky,” according to a Chinese adage. The 2nd annual Half the Sky* Fair is a lively celebration of the light and hope that women represent around the globe. Meet dedicated individuals from women-centered non-profit organizations that empower women and girls worldwide. At the Fair you will find gift items to purchase, entertainment, food, and silent auction items to bid on in a wide variety of price points.

One of the beneficiaries of the auction is our sister school, Ayak Anguei in South Sudan. The Women’s College partners with Project Education Sudan on behalf of our little sisters. The funds raised from this event will go toward the Ayak Anguei Uniform Project to provide each of the 600 girls a uniform. A girl wearing a uniform is a statement of pride and confidence which announces to the village and the world, “I am a girl going to school and getting an education!”

The silent auction will feature generous donations from a variety of donors — the Westin Hotel Downtown, the Green Horse Gallery, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Comedy Works, and more. The proceeds of the silent auction will benefit Project Education Sudan, the inaugural Half the Sky scholarship, and Half the Sky Foundation. Attendance is free and open to the public. Project Education Sudan accepts major credit cards.

Proceeds benefit:
• Project Education Sudan
• Half the Sky Foundation
• Half the Sky Scholarship

Climb for Sudan a Success - Raised Over $76,000!

We initially wanted to raise $70,000, then someone said, “Why not make it $100,000?” Setting the $100,000 goal bolstered our fundraising efforts. Thanks to your support we were able to raise over $76,000 to help build four classrooms at Pagook Primary and a third dormitory for Ayak Anguei Girls Primary School!

Times are tough in the current economy, but we’re grateful that you, our supporters recognize the ongoing need in South Sudan. We ca leec Areetic!

 

Our Top of the Peak Event was a huge success — thank you to everybody who
came out and helped support the children of South Sudan!

See photos from the event at www.climbforsudan.org.

1st Annual Climb for Sudan Benefit

Join us at the best address in Downtown Denver as we celebrate the triumph of the newest country in the world and the ascent of 58 peaks in 70 days!

Featuring:
Former Broncos Celebrity Bartenders, Salida Circus Performers, “Buy a Block, Build a School,” Live Auction, Silent Auction including 1st level Broncos tickets, home plate Rockies tickets, spa packages, mountain condos and more, Lost Boys Dance Performance, Sponsor Recognition Ceremony.

Proceeds benefit Ayak Anguei Girls’ School, Pagook Primary School, and Jonglei Hope Academy to provide classrooms, dormitories, and desks.

Hosted by:
Red Peak Properties
1600 Glenarm Place Apartments
Outdoor Amenity Patio
Denver, CO 80202
Friday, September 9, 2011
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Spirits and Hors d’oeuvres

Honorary Chair
Jake Norton

Renowned Mountaineer,
member of the team who
discovered Mallory’s remains
on Mt. Everest

 

Celebrity Bartenders
Tyrone Braxton
Kevin Clark

Denver Bronco Alumni

 

Honorary Dudes
Joe Rogers
Nick Spivey

14er Climbers

  Honorary Guests
Lost Boys of Sudan

RSVP by Sept 1, 2011
Purchase tickets online at www.blacktie-colorado.com/rsvp.

Climb for Sudan

Climb For Sudan presented by LARABAR is a 70 day event to honor the people of South Sudan and the importance of education as they become the newest nation in the world on July 9, 2011. We were approached by two mountain climbers, Joe Rogers and Nick Spivey who were inspired by the “Lost Boys” of Sudan’s thousand mile journey across three countries. In talking to Joe and Nick, we realized that we are all climbers. To climb is to reach for something greater than ourselves, to rise up, to ascend. It all started becoming clear to us. The people of South Sudan are climbers. The “Lost Boys” are climbers. Our volunteers and people who help us build schools in South Sudan are climbers. Our donors are climbers. With that realization the Climb For Sudan was born.

Our goal with the Climb For Sudan is to raise $100,000 and celebrate the independence of South Sudan and the importance of education as they become the newest nation in the world. Money raised by Project Education Sudan will fund much needed classrooms, dormitories, bunk beds/bedding and desks for four schools in three rural villages in Jonglei state.

Please visit www.climbforsudan.org for information and How to Become a Sponsor.

Click here to donate on Crowdrise.

Presented By

Current Sponsors

   

Project Education Sudan Awarded $70,000 Grant From LARABAR

Project Education Sudan will expand its school development in three villages in Jonglei State, South Sudan, thanks to a $70,000 Grant from LARABAR, Small Planet Foods, General Mills. The Grant, which will be rolled-out over three years, will result in our schools continued development of Jonglei Hope Secondary Academy in Maar, Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary in Konbek and Pagook Secondary in Pagook. All three schools serve over 1,500 students of which over half are girls.

In photo at right are (left to right) Sarah McDowell, LARABAR Brand Development, Daniel Gai and Panther Abuk, PES Sudanese Board Members, Carol Rinehart, Executive Director.

Project Education Sudan in the News!

Project Education Sudan has been featured this past month on PBS, CNN International, Colorado Public Radio, Channel 4 CBS News, Fox News and Channel 2 CW News! Daniel Majok Gai and Carol Francis-Rinehart have been interviewed about the referendum election and the work PES is doing to help build a new nation. Please view the links below:

PBS South Sudan: The World’s Newest Country
CNN Lost Boy of Sudan on Vote
CPR Lost Boy Helps Southern Sudan’s Future
CBS Lost Boys of Sudan Now Being Called ‘Found Men’
FOX Local Man Working to Rebuild South Sudan
CW Sudanese Election
MSNBC Sudan-Inspired Mountaineers Hit Milestone: 24 Peaks Down, 34 to Go
YourHub Climbers Tackle Colorado Mountains to Raise Awareness for South Sudan
Examiner.com Climb for Sudan Aims for the Sky: 58 Colorado Fourteeners in 70 days
KUVO Joe Rogers, Nick Spivey: Climbing All CO 14’ers to Raise Awareness of Southern Sudan
Urban Spectrum Independence Day Comes for Southern Sudan (Page 13)
Aurora Sentinel Local Sudanese Reflect on Independence for South Sudan

Project Education Sudan Now a Part of “She’s The First” Network

www.shesthefirst.org

Project Education Sudan is now a part of the “She’s The First” network, a non-profit that sponsors girls’ education in the developing world. Below is an article featuring Project Education Sudan and our She’s The First page!

She’s The First launched an April Poetry Month E-Card with all proceeds going to a full sponsorship of a girl in a PES school in South Sudan. Annah Angeth Awan has been selected for sponsorship from the donations received through She’s The First!  Click below to read the article and see the letter from Annah and the headmaster of Tong Pagook Primary School, James Lual John:

Annah Angeth Awan: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/05/meet-the-student-we-sponsored-together-via-poetry-month-ecards/

Poetry E-Card: www.shesthefirst.org/poetry-month-ecards-lets-sponsor-a-girl-in-sudan/

Article: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/03/welcome-to-the-network-project-education-sudan/

Sponsored Girl: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/05/project-education-sudan-changing-lives-one-girl-at-a-time/

Feminine Hygiene Program: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/05/new-hygiene-program-launched-to-keep-girls-in-school/

PES Page: www.shesthefirst.org/2011/02/project-education-sudan/

Sudan Program Director Daniel Majok Gai

Daniel came to the United States as a twenty-year-old refugee in 2001. At the age of six, he had escaped into the bush alone when a northern militia attacked his South Sudanese village. He spent the next fourteen years in camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, having trekked hundreds of miles, first into Ethiopia, and then, when the “Lost Boys” were driven out of that region, to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Daniel received his high school certificate in Kakuma, where he learned under a tree, without pens or paper.

Daniel became a United States citizen in 2007 and recently graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a BA in Psychology where he will continue his graduate work. At UCD, he won the 2010 Rosa Park Diversity Student Award and worked as a Student Advocate at the Educational Opportunity Program. Daniel is a board member of PES and has returned to Sudan twice as part of the PES team, where he met with village elders to negotiate PES’s third school site; assisted with the teacher training and women’s literacy programs; provided training to the PES Sudanese Field Coordinator. In 2008, Project Education Sudan reunited Daniel with his family.

After being selected by Leadership Institute of New Sudan (LIONS), JKSIS University of Denver, to participate in an emergent leadership development program at Juba University in South Sudan, Daniel was appointed the Sudan Program Director for Project Education Sudan. In February 2011, he will travel to Sudan for one year to work in conjunction with PES Sudan Field Coordinator Panther Kelei to oversee and monitor PES projects on the ground.

“I am sure the relationships I made during his leadership training in Juba will create a network beneficial to Project Education Sudan’s goals in the future. My biggest hope is to see the Sudanese people prosper, and I believe I can be an emerging leader for my country’s development.” – Daniel Majok Gai

Project Education Sudan’s Referendum: Diaspora Perspective

Project Education Sudan was invited by One Day on Earth to participate with documentary filmmakers, schools, non-profits, students and inspired citizens to document the amazing diversity, conflict, tragedy, and triumph of the human experience over a 24-hour period around the world.

Through this collaborative platform, One Day on Earth will create a 120-minute documentary to be released theatrically that will capture the diversity of life and culture on this planet. We have partnered with Denver journalist and documentary filmmaker Tamara Banks and film editor Jim Hucks to bring the voices of the Denver Sudanese Diaspora to the world.

Denver Film Maker – Tamara Banks, Taz Media
Tamara is an Emmy Award Winning International freelance Journalist using her 20 years of journalism experience to evoke positive social change both locally and globally. She has spent the past three years filming in the Sudan/Darfur region for her documentary The Long Journey Home. This film on how slavery is being used as a tool of genocide was accepted in the 2009 Hollywood Film Festival. Tamara is currently “Studio 12” PBS KBDI host and her work has appeared on ABC News, HDNET’s World Report, CNN and Fox News.

Denver Photojournalist, editor, producer, busy body – Jim Hucks , Diamond-Star Media Productions
Jim has 20 years in the Media Production industry in the Denver TV news business. He was awarded three Heartland Emmys in the 2008 Regional Competition for news feature work and news documentary photography. He was a news photojournalist with KWGN-TV and KMGH-TV Denver and covered the Jon Benet murder investigation, the grand jury case that ended in no indictment, the Oklahoma City bombing trial of Tim McVeigh, Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII, and two Stanley Cups.

Executive Producer, Carol Francis-Rinehart – Executive Director Project Education Sudan
Carol is a former secondary teacher who has 25 years of refugee resettlement in the United States. Her work with the Sudanese “Lost Boys” began with their arrival in 2001. She is recognized nationwide for her activism and consulting on behalf of the Sudan. In 2006, along with Isaac Khor Bher, she founded Project Education Sudan to support the creation of an educational infrastructure in rural South Sudan. She was a 2008 Delegate to the United Nations Commission of the Status of Women, and has a particular interest on equal education for girls. Carol leads annual monitoring and working trips to South Sudan to promote the work of PES.

Project Education Sudan’s Referendum: Diaspora Perspective captures the voices and stories of Denver Diaspora Sudanese Nibol Achuil, Mary Reng, Sarah Achyo and Mama Kot Bior - Bor Women’s Association of Colorado; Daniel Majok Gai - Project Education Sudan; Agana Zephenia - L.I.O.N.S. Graduate; Gideon Abraham - SPLA Secretariat, Colorado; Carol Francis-Rinehart - Director, Project Education Sudan and “Lost Boy” Ngor Gai Abiar as they share their hopes and perspectives on the upcoming January Referendum and journey from oppression and war to freedom. Go to www.onedayonearth.org/group/pes.

Making A Difference for South Sudan

M.A.D. for Education in South Sudan is one of 10 charitable organizations selected by the Donny.com “Making A Difference (M.A.D.)” Program started by Donny Osmond in August 2010. We are thrilled to be “M.A.D.” for girls’ education in Konbek, South Sudan!

M.A.D. for Education in South Sudan is partnering with Project Education Sudan to assist in reaching their goal at the current Fall fundraising event — to purchase 26 bunk beds for one dormitory which would sleep 52 girls.

Aracely Pesek, President, and Lindsey Pesek, Vice-President, of M.A.D. for Education in South Sudan, have been involved with Project Education Sudan for the last three years by participating in fundraisers sponsored by the school which Lindsey attends, Eaglecrest High School. Eaglecrest is located in Centennial, Colorado and is a sister school to Ayak Anguei in Konbek, South Sudan.

For more information visit www.madforsouthernsudan.com.

Past Events:

Project Education Sudan and 73rd Avenue Theatre Company Sponsor Clare Bayley’s The Container

Project Education Sudan and 73rd Avenue Theatre Company are sponsoring the North American premiere of Clare Bayley’s The Container, directed by Jesse Larner. Other sponsors include Project Worth More, CoAid-Community Aid Relief and Development and African Community Center.

Five immigrants from the Middle East and Africa fleeing their homelands hope for a new life in the UK. Human dignity and basic survival are put to the test as they are smuggled inside an empty container car under appalling conditions — the location and duration of their trip is unknown. Allegiances to nationality and individuality are questioned both by refugees and the black-market traffickers profiting at a time when societies previously known have failed and humane solutions cannot be guaranteed.

September 5-November 7
Sunday 6:45 p.m.
7287 Lowell Blvd.
Westminster, CO 80030
$20/$18 Group Rate
Staged inside a container car – limited seating
Additional performances for group reservations
www.the73rdavenuetheatrecompany.com

Spark Gallery Featuring Michael Gadlin Art Exhibit

August 26-September 19, 2010
Spark Gallery
Construction & Deconstruction
Artist: Michael Gadlin

Project Education Sudan (PES) is a US 501(c) (3) organization and registered NGO with the government of South Sudan. We were created as a partnership of Sudanese and Americans in response to the destruction that has resulted from the twenty-year civil war between North and South Sudan.

PES builds community, self-sufficiency and hope for the people of South Sudan by helping fund and support indigenous Sudanese organizations and communities that create educational infrastructure in rural villages. We work collaboratively to build primary and secondary schools, and make adult education and skills training available for all, particularly girls and women. PES trains field personnel, provides teacher training and income literacy programs.

We are committed to emancipating girls and women to attend school by bringing clean water, grinding mills and healthcare to the communities through partnerships with other international and indigenous organizations. We follow the UNICEF accountability model in funding projects, project inspection, and verification of spending requests to ensure transparency.

Michael has been a generous supporter of PES through his participation in Project Education Sudan’s Biennial Art & Artifacts Benefit representing many well known national and Colorado artists’ work. Proceeds benefit the children of South Sudan whose dreams are to receive an education that has been denied them for many years due to war.

You can help make 3,000 students dream of education become a reality by purchasing Michael’s Construction & Deconstruction art pieces. Michael is generously donating a percentage of sales to Project Education Sudan.

Proceeds benefit Jonglei Hope Secondary Academy, Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary and Pagook Secondary Schools in South Sudan.

Salida Second Annual Circus Stiltathon and Circus Walk

On Saturday, September 11th, Salida Circus will conduct their Second Annual Stiltathon & Circus Walk around Salida to honor the Lost Boys of Sudan 1000 mile trek. Proceeds will benefit Project Education Sudan’s Pagook Secondary School. Kids and adults will solicit pledges for the walk which will take place on Saturday.

It is one of many events taking place to benefit Project Education Sudan and bring awareness of the Lost Boys and their efforts to give back to their homeland.

The fundraiser is one of a series of events taking place in Salida:

August 7-September 12

SUDAN: Promise & Hope Art and Photographic Exhibit
Showing at Bongo Billy’s Salida Café

September 10

  • • 10:00 a.m. – PES Presentation/Montessori School
  • • 11:00 a.m. – PES Presentation/Crest Academy
  • • 2:30 p.m. – PES Presentation/Salida Middle School

September 11

  • • 12 Noon – Salida Circus Stilt Walk for Project Education Sudan
  • • 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. – Reception at Café Dawn

September 12

  • • 3:00 p.m. – PES Presentation/Salida Public Library

Half the Sky

August 7 & 8, 2010, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Women’s College of the University of Denver
The Garden Room
1901 E. Asbury Avenue
Denver, CO 80208

Half The Sky Fair, inspired by the Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn book and organized by The Women’s College Culture and Communications class is dedicated to organizations that support women and girls around the world.

Ayak Anguei Girls’ School is Sister School Partners with The Women’s College. The funds raised from this event will go toward the Ayak Anguei Uniform Project to provide each of the 600 girls a uniform. A girl wearing a uniform is a statement of pride and confidence which announces to the village and the world, “I am a girl going to school and getting an education!”

Join us in the Garden Room of The Women’s College, with vendors like Bread for Life, The Women’s Bean Project and other organizations that support women around the globe,. Bid at the silent auction for a chance to win tickets to Comedy Works or Lamont Opera, Jewelry, Candles, and much more! Take part in the fun, food, entertainment and empowerment education.

Proceeds benefit:
• Pennies for Peace
• Project Education Sudan
• Women for Women International

 

SUDAN: Promise & Hope Exhibit

Curator - Christine Mahree Fowler
May 31-July 30, 2010
Open 6:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
2019 East 17th Avenue
Denver, CO 80206

For your enjoyment, please stop by St. Mark’s Coffee House to view and purchase a vast array of artwork done by local artists as well as beautiful photographic images taken recently in South Sudan. All of the images will be on display between May 31 - July 30, 2010 and are moderately priced. Proceeds benefit Jonglei Hope Secondary Academy, Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary and Pagook Secondary Schools.

Thank You To Our Sponsors:

L.I.O.N.S. (Leadership Institute of New Sudan)
Is a Unified Sudan Possible? The Comprehensive Peace Agreement Today

Roger Winter, Negotiator of CPA, Special Representative on Sudan for U.S. Dept. of State
December 18, 2009, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
University of Denver, Craig Hall Community Room
2148 South High St.
Denver, CO 80208

Other PES Co-Sponsored Events with L.I.O.N.S.

Mark Udall, U.S. Senator, Colorado
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 12-1 p.m., Sie Cheou-Kang Center, Rm. 150, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver

Media Panel with Greg Moore, The Denver Post and Jim East, Colorado Public Radio
Thursday, December 10, 2009, 7-9 p.m., Sie Cheou-Kang Center, Rm. 150, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver

L.I.O.N.S. Graduation Ceremony
Friday, December 18, 2009, 5-7 p.m., Frederic C. Hamilton Family Recital Hall, The Newman Center at the University of Denver, featuring Sudan Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Akec Khoc, and Head Government of South Sudan to the United States Hon. Ezekiel Gatkuoth

Painting a Future – Building an Education
Schools in South Sudan One Brick at a Time

Please join us on First Friday Art Walk on November 6, 2009 for an opening you will never forget. Some of our finest artists have donated paintings to help build and support schools and education in South Sudan. Proceeds go directly to help fund three Schools in South Sudan. Help us reach our goal of building two, much needed dorms and two new classrooms this year.

Opening Night:
Friday, November 6, 2009
6:00-9:00 p.m.
3300 Walnut Street
Denver, Colorado 80205
Show Runs:
November 6-31, 2009
Hosts:
The Dry Ice Factory in conjunction with Project Education Sudan
Event Coordinator: Christine Mahree Fowler
For more information, please call(720) 341-8801 or e-mail info@ProjectEducationSudan.org

Paintings at right are by (clockwise from top left): Regan Rosburg, Randy Pijoan, Ron Hicks, Jason Thielke and Michael Gadlin.

3rd Biennial Art & Artifacts Benefit

Featuring over 40 of Colorado’s finest artists’ original and Sudanese inspired paintings and sculpture, including collector quality African artifacts. Proceeds benefit schools currently in progress: Jonglei Hope Secondary Academy, Ayak Anguei Girls Primary, and Pagook Secondary School.

September 26, 2009
6:00‐9:00 p.m.
Hosts:
Dr. Richard & Linda V.G. Kelley
4 Village Road, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
$50.00 per person – Spirits & Hors d’oeuvres
Celebrity Bartenders: Lew Babcock, Tyrone Braxton, Chris Meza, Brian Jacobson
Honorary Chairs:
The Honorable Elbra Wedgeworth, Chief Government and Community Relations Officer, Denver Health
Cleo Parker Robinson, Founder/Executive Artistic Director of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Judith Babcock, Artist/Founder of Art & Artifacts
Honorary Guests: John & Christine Harris, Owners, Belcaro Paint & Design
Emcee: Tamara Banks, Freelance Journalist
Event Chair: Christine Mahree Fowler
Event Committee: Patterson Benero, Kathy Bradley, Katy Charles, Joyce Culwell, Denise Eiseman, Lynn Alexander Hardcastle, Lee Ann Huntington, Ann Jesse, Mary Ann Miro, Alyssa Om’Iniabohs, Alex Orkow, Toni Palmer, Carol Francis Rinehart, Judy Scheig
RSVP by September 19, 2009
To purchase your tickets online, please go to www.blacktie‐colorado.com/rsvp and enter event code: PES9/09.
For more information, please call (303) 316‐4528

See all the paintings

Salida Circus Stiltathon and Circus Walk

On Saturday, September 12th, Salida Circus will conduct a pledged Stiltathon & Circus Walk around Salida to honor the Lost Boys of Sudan 1000 mile trek. Proceeds will benefit Project Education Sudan’s Pagook Secondary School. Kids and adults will solicit pledges for the walk which will take place on Saturday.

It is one of many events taking place to benefit Project Education Sudan and bring awareness of the Lost Boys and their efforts to give back to their homeland.

The fundraiser is one of a series of events taking place in Salaida:

  • • August 31-Sept 14 – Salida Regional Library will host a PES photographic exhibit and sale
  • • Sept 10 at the Salida Community Center will be a viewing of “God Grew tired of Us”
  • • Sept 11 Lost Boy/PES Board Member Daniel Gai will speak at Salida Middle School
  • • Sept 13 at the Sandusky Building, “One Story: Isaac Khor Bher” will be shown. Co-Founders Isaac Bher, Carol Francis-Rinehart and Daniel Majok Gai will speak on the work Project Education Sudan is doing in the villages of the Lost Boys.

Exhibit Darfur

Project Education Sudan is a part of the National Exhibit Darfur Tour. We are represented by Carol Francis-Rinehart, Executive Director and the images from Our Journey of Hope team. Please click here to tour the exhibit. PES is the continuum of hope out of the destruction and suffering in Sudan.

Girls & Women of Sudan: In Pursuit of Education
January 15 - February 28, 2009

Photographic Exhibit

The Women’s College of the University of Denver – Click here for the event flyer
Reception February 28 to benefit the Ayak Anguei Girls School.

PES Journey of Hope Trip to South Sudan

This March-April, The Journey of Hope 2008 team will consist of 13 PES volunteers, including 4 Lost Boys, who will travel to the villages of Konbek, Pagok, Gopmeth and Maar/Paliau in South Sudan. In Sudan, the group will be implementing teacher strategy workshops to train primary and secondary school teachers and adult income literacy workshops for women to learn basic math and accounting skills to run a business around the grinding mills and sewing machines delivered to each school site. This year they will deliver three more grinding mills to each of the three villages that they visit to help emancipate the girls and women from the hours of hand grinding in order to attend school. In addition, the team will be supervising the drilling of a well and negotiating with village elders in Pagok for a third school site. They will be doing follow up monitoring and assessment of work in progress as well.

2nd Annual Art & Artifacts Benefit

Featuring over 25 Colorado artists’ paintings from images of the Sudan Journey of Hope 2007 trip.

Saturday, September 15, 2007
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Hosts: John and Cindy Harris, owners of Belcaro Paint & Design
555 South Downing Street, Denver, CO 80209
$50 per person – Spirits and hors d’oeuvres
Event Chairs: Judith Babcock, Lynn Hardcastle, Patti Ludlum
Enjoy a self guided tour of the Harris’s private African Art & Sculpture Collection, meet the Journey of Hope 2007 Team.

See all the paintings

PES at Taos, New Mexico

On August 25th, five of the Lost Boys and a handful of American PES volunteers traveled to Taos, New Mexico for a fundraiser at the Gallery on the Green at the Taos Country Club. The benefit was hosted by Betsy Carey and featured dancing and singing by the Lost Boys and paintings created by local artists. Half of the proceeds from all artwork sold at the event are being donated to PES by the artists. The artwork not sold at the event will be on display at the country club and for sale until early January 2008 with fifty percent of the proceeds continuing to be donated to PES.

This is the second time the Lost Boys have been invited to Taos; last spring, they attended a screening of the documentary film The Lost Boys of Sudan and One Story: Isaac Khor Bher. Over $1,500 was raised for treadle sewing machines for the Ayak Anguei Girls School in Isaac’s village of Konbek. The young men were guests at Taos Pueblo where they met and were hosted by several elders.

PES was invited to the Taos, New Mexico by Rivers & Birds a Non-profit dedicated to conservation education and biological research that supports sustainable cultural traditions and natural heritage. The local Taos school Peace Jam Club first heard about us through the Peace Jam in Denver and initiated the invitation. The Taos Pueblo Indians opened their homes, hearts and pueblo to receive “Lost Boys” Isaac Khor Bher, Lual Awok, Peter Alier Garang, Peter Madut Garang, John Panrach Mach and “Lost Girl” Akon Ezekiel. They were honored by a special Taos Pueblo ceremony by the Governor, Lt. Governor, War Chief and elders. It was a very rare and special opportunity for the Sudanese youth and Taos Pueblo elders to share common cultural traditions and heritage. Watch a video of the Lost Boys at the pueblo below.

11th Annual Shepard Symposium for Social Justice

From March 28-30, Executive Director Carol Francis-Rinehart and former intern Emily Broyles traveled to Laramie, Wyoming to bring Project Education Sudan to the 11th Annual Shepard Symposium for Social Justice at the University of Wyoming. This year’s theme was Children’s Hopes for Peace, Our Dreams for Justice. Project Education Sudan presented several times throughout the symposium, including the opening plenary panel where co-founder Isaac Khor Bher’s powerful documentary One Story was the highlight of the session. The conversation about the needs of South Sudan continued with the Keynote speaker, Christopher Quinn, who screened his new documentary God Grew Tired of Us at the Shepard Symposium on March 29th. God Grew Tired of Us is a highly acclaimed documentary, which follows several Lost Boys of Sudan from their home in a refugee camp in Kenya throughout the first five years of life in America after they were resettled in the West. Mr. Quinn’s candid and heartfelt remarks about this film clearly illustrated his passion for telling a compelling story and ignited the audience to get more involved in helping reconstruct South Sudan. Project Education Sudan was proud to stand next to Mr. Quinn at this important symposium.

Emily Broyles and Carol Francis-Rinehart of PES with “God Grew Tired of Us” director Christopher Quinn.

The symposium, which began as the Symposium for the Eradication of Social Inequality, was renamed in 2003 to honor the work of the Shepard family and the memory of their son, Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student and social activist. The symposium works as a living reminder of the need for information and dialogue about social justice concerns in the United States and beyond. Project Education Sudan was thrilled with the level of interest and commitment found among the motivated participants and we look forward to future involvement with the Shepard Symposium, the University of Wyoming and the entire Laramie community.

Monday, February 12
Vail Symposium
“One Story”: Memories of a Lost Boy

Isaac Khor Bher and Carol Francis-Rinehart, co-founders of Project Education Sudan

Join us for this special evening, as we present “One Story,” a short documentary that captures the compelling and poignant memories of Isaac Khor Bher, from his dislocation from family in South Sudan at the age of six, to walking barefoot for 1,000 miles to an Ethiopian refugee camp with 30,000 other war orphans.

Project Education Sudan Executive Director, Carol Francis-Rinehart, will talk about their shared vision in founding the organization and its mission of building a primary and secondary education infrastructure including schools, teachers and school supplies in communities throughout South Sudan.

Friday, February 9, 2007
Crisis and Opportunity: South Sudan and Hope for Darfur, presented by Kelly Kinner and Carol Francis-Rinehart.

This presentation will begin with Kelly Kinner, professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Kelly will give an overview of the historical context of the complexities of the crisis in Darfur, beginning with the civil war in South Sudan in 1983. Kelly will then address media coverage of the Darfur crisis, addressing both the lack of coverage and the lack of positive developments in the aftermath of the civil war.

Carol Rinehart, Executive Director of Project Education Sudan, will address the impact the civil war had on South Sudanese regarding the genocide that took more than 2 million lives. Carol will share the social infrastructure problems, land issues and emotional trauma that the South Sudanese have had to endure, and the resiliency in which they are moving forward with rebuilding their lives. She will also address hope for the region, based on her experience with her work in South Sudan and her perspective as a volunteer working with African refugees for over 25 years.

February 3, 2007
Silent Auction and Gala Event Dinner

Things are moving quickly for Project Education Sudan! We are delighted to welcome back our dedicated Journey of Hope team, who traveled into South Sudan from December 25 to January 16. They have shared with us their moving stories of new hope for education in this war-torn region. The team will be making a complete report on the trip, with a multi-media presentation at the gala. Please come to hear this wonderful story and meet the team in person!

We also have received word that Ambassador Timothy Carney has been asked by the State Department to lead the new reconstruction efforts in Iraq and will be leaving very soon for Baghdad. Tim, we wish you the very best for this challenging new assignment!

We were delighted to learn that his wife, Victoria Butler, will deliver the keynote at the gala. She will talk about the work she and Tim have done for the State Department in Sudan and the prospects for long term peace and stability.

Together with Michael Freeman and Tim, she has written a beautiful illustrated book called Sudan: The Land and the People, and will be presenting to us the slide show from the book that was originally presented to the Royal Geographical Society.

Vicki served as Information Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and headed the office producing educational materials for the United Nations Mission in Cambodia. As a freelance writer, she has worked for Time Magazine, the Toronto Globe and Mail, Voice of America, NBC News, and APTV. Her stories have appeared in numerous magazines around the world including International Wildlife, Reader’s Digest, and Eastern Economic Review. She wrote the text for two illustrated books on Indonesian artists. She has lived and traveled extensively in Sudan.

January 31, 2007
International Night

Sudanese Lost Boy Daniel Gai will speak at Field Elementary’s Internation Night on January 31st. The event also highlights the Kissidugu Percussion and Dance Group. In addition, Field Elementary student will share some of their international connections from their IB units.

December 25, 2006 to January 16, 2007
PES Journey of Hope to South Sudan

PES is taking a team to South Sudan to assess two boarding schools and to reunite 5 “Lost Boys” with their “found” parents. The dedicated team of 6 Sudanese and 6 Americans includes:

  • • Carol Rinehart, Executive Director of PES who will assess teacher/student curricular needs
  • • Rich Rinehart, Board Member who will teach accounting systems to our partners in the field, Jonglei Development Society
  • • Ray Stranske, Board Member, who is teaching and working alongside the local construction people to introduce and teach a new latex roofing method
  • • Martha Riley, Eaglecrest High School AVID teacher and Steering committee member, who will coordinate all teacher/student circular assessment
  • • David Ruskay, owner of Positive Energy Company who is installing solar energy on a previously existing school
  • • Jeff and Lauren Larsen, who will assess the need for boreholes
  • • The University of Denver, Africa Today Associates representative, Frederick Agyeman-duah, has visited Maar working on medical assessment to build a health clinic.

The “Lost Boys of Sudan” who are joining the team are:

  • • Isaac Khor Bher, Co-founder/VP of PES, who will introduce and teach the local contractors a new latex roofing method
  • • Lual Peter Awok, Solar specialist, who will work on the solar installation
  • • Ayuel Yiep Koch, DU Daniels School of Business Accounting Major who will teach accounting methods
  • • Panther Abuk Kuol, UC Denver who is the field coordinator for the borehole drilling
  • • Abraham John Panchol, RTD Driver who is translator support for curricular assessment
  • • Jacob Lueth, translator support

All 5 young men are also being reunited with their families whom they have not seen in over 20 years due to the war in South Sudan in the 1980’s-90’s. The team planning has been in full gear since August 2006. We depart December 25, 2006, arriving back in Denver January 16, 2007. The energy, dedication and long hours the team members are putting into this, all volunteer time, is inspiring. We are all very grateful to you, OUR DONORS, for making this possible. We ARE making a difference one village at a time!

November 17, 2006
An Evening with the Lost Boys of Sudan

The program for the evening includes:

  • • Special showing of Lost Boy Isaac Khor Bher’s short documentary “One Story”
  • • Commentary by Isaac and other Lost Boys
  • • Dancing by Eaglecrest Dance Company and Lost Boys
  • • African Jewelry Sale

November 11, 2006
Building Bridges of Hope – A Benefit for Project Education Sudan
Event Chair – Deb Iole

Join us for a fundraising evening. Meet the Sudanese and American team who will be going to South Sudan this December to build and reunify four “Lost Boys.” The short documentary “One Story” will be shown.

October 21st, 2006
Community of Sudanese and American Women (CSAW)

Under the auspices of the Boulder Public Library Foundation CSAW will hold a benefit at the Boulder Public Library for the 26 Sudanese young women and their dependents whom they are helping to resettle in Boulder. They plan to sell the new Sudan note cards and original art work, have traditional food, music, dancing, and story-telling. Please see their website www.csawcolorado.org for on-going information about the organization. We hope you will save this date and join in on the fun.

September 15-17, 2006
PeaceJam

SEE OUR PEACE JAM PHOTOS HERE!

PeaceJam is an international educational program built around leading Nobel Peace laureates who work personally with youth 14 to 19 years of age to pass on the spirit, skills and wisdom they embody. The goal of PeaceJam is to create young leaders who are committed to positive change in themselves, their local communities and the world.

Join the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Rigoberta Menchu Tum and 9 other Nobel Peace Prize winners and 3,000 youth from around the world at this extraordinary event.

It is with great pleasure that PES announces that the Lost Boys of Sudan and Project Education Sudan will be represented at this year’s event. Isaac Khor Bher will represent the Lost Boys community in Denver and PES. Students will attend a break out session where they will watch his documentary and be able to ask him questions. Students from Arapahoe High School’s Amnesty International club will staff the PES booth, in order to let participants know how they can help spread awareness about the situations in South Sudan.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.peacejam.org.

Art and Artifacts: Paintings of South Sudan
Hosted by John and Cindy Harris, owners of Belcaro Painting and Decorating Center
May 12, 2006

Many thanks to the donors and volunteers who made this unique fundraising event a great success! Several of these sensitive and beautifully realized works are still available for sale and can be seen in Denver locations.

Paintings from photographs taken by Carol Rinehart and Lost Boy Isaac Khor Bher, recently returned from a trip to South Sudan to reunite Isaac with his mother whom he believed he had lost to the civil war twenty years ago. The evening included a performance of singing and dancing by the Lost Boys of Sudan.

See the paintings

Emily Broyles and Carol Francis-Rinehart of PES with “God Grew Tired of Us” director Christopher Quinn.

Project Education Sudan Fundraising Gala
March 11, 2006

Over 250 people attended the Gala Dinner, sponsored by Littleton Public Schools, the Center for Teaching International Relations, Amnesty International and Project Education Sudan. The keynote speaker, General Majak D’Agoot, gave an outstanding speech about the need for schools in South Sudan. Overall the night was a huge success. During his visit to Denver, General Majak also met with the Sudanese community of Colorado, and attended a private reception in his honor.

Project Education Sudan    P.O. Box 6851    Denver, Colorado 80206

(303) 316-4528     info@ProjectEducationSudan.org