My name is Jeremiah Madhol Ater. I was born and raised in South Sudan, a place of great beauty, but also of heartbreaking struggle. After growing up in villages marked by conflict, hardship, and a daily fight for survival, I moved to Kenya, and then to France, where I am now pursuing my master’s degree at Sciences Po.

South Sudan is my home, but it is a country still haunted by the shadows of civil war and underdevelopment. For too many families, the most basic needs such as clean water, safety, and schooling remain a distant dream. I remember, with painful clarity, children forced to drink from muddy ponds because they have no options, their laughter silenced by water-borne diseases, and kids learning under trees or writing on the floor because there are no classrooms or enough exercise books. I remember the determined faces of women walking for miles and miles beneath the burning sun and traveling over 20 KM, risking their safety just to fetch water for their families. I remember children, especially young girls, losing their place in schools under trees, not because they lacked ambition, but because survival left them no other choice. These memories are not just my past; they are the present reality for countless people in South Sudan, and the crisis is growing worse every day as the country continues to suffer economically and struggles to find stability.

These experiences drove us to found Give Education a Priority Organization (GEPO), a South Sudanese community-based nonprofit dedicated to restoring hope. Our mission is urgent: to provide clean water, education, and basic support so that the future can be brighter for all. Initially, our main goal was to help vulnerable kids access education, but we soon realized how other essential basic needs contribute to the welfare of children in many ways. Since 2022, we have managed to distribute over 15,000 exercise and text books, impacted over 200 kids, and drilled five handpumps in some villages. All thanks to friends who believe in small organizations with big dreams.

Today, through this campaign, we are striving to raise $49,750 to drill three clean water boreholes in some of South Sudan’s most remote and neglected villages. Each borehole will deliver safe water to hundreds of families, protecting children from deadly, preventable diseases. It will give hope back to mothers and daughters, freeing them from daily journeys that keep them out of school and away from the chance to build a better life.

This campaign is deeply personal and inspired by my friend and co-founder Daniel Bol, who has sacrificed so much to ensure that 21 children are staying in his house, receiving care, and being put in schools. I have felt the pain and desperation of thirst. I have seen lives lost to waterborne diseases. But I have also witnessed the incredible joy and relief when a new borehole comes alive, bringing dignity, health, and opportunity to entire communities. Clean water is not just a necessity, it is life itself.

Together, we can prevent countless deaths from waterborne illnesses. We can spare women and children from dangerous, exhausting journeys under a scorching sun. We can bring hope where it has nearly been lost.

Transparency and Accountability

As a co-founder and Technical Director of Give Education a Priority Organization, I serve as the representative of our organization here in the West. I also write and manage all the projects of the organizations. Any funds raised through this campaign will be transferred directly into GEPO's official organizational bank account to support our projects. If, due to international banking restrictions, the organizational account is not accessible, the funds will be securely held in my personal Western account until they can be safely transferred to GEPO for project implementation. The Co-founder who is our Executive Director and our Finance office will directly monitor, manage and see the amount raised throughout the entire campaign. Every dollar will be used specifically to drill three clean water boreholes, cover logistics, and ensure sustainable maintenance of each site. Comprehensive records and updates will be provided to all donors as part of our accountability promise. As a fundraiser, I will make sure that I am responsible for ensuring that all money raised is used exactly as described in our campaign.

Please, stand with us in this mission. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to saving lives and changing the future for South Sudan’s most vulnerable.

How the Funds Will Be Used

The total amount raised—$49,750, will be allocated as follows to ensure the drilling and long-term operation of three clean water boreholes in remote villages in South Sudan:​

Site Surveys and Permits: Before drilling, a professional geological survey will be conducted to identify the best locations for boreholes, alongside acquiring necessary local permits and authorizations.​

Mobilization and Logistics: This includes transporting drilling equipment, materials, and skilled personnel to the project sites, as well as preparing each site for construction.​

Drilling and Borehole Construction: The core of the project, this covers the costs of drilling the boreholes, constructing well shafts, and installing appropriate casing and filtration to ensure water safety.

Pump Installation: Modern, durable hand pumps or solar-powered pumps will be installed for each borehole, ensuring reliable water access for local families.​

Water Storage and Distribution: Water will be stored in elevated tanks and, where feasible, piped to sub-tanks in adjacent villages, making access easier and safer for women and children.​

Testing and Quality Assurance: Each borehole will be thoroughly tested for water yield and purity, including recovery measurements and health safety checks before being handed over to the community.​

Community Training and Maintenance: Local water committees will be trained in borehole operation and maintenance to ensure sustainability. Part of the funds will be reserved for minor repairs and ongoing technical support.​

Reporting and Transparency: Detailed records of expenditures and project progress will be provided to all donors, ensuring accountability at every stage.

Funds will be transferred directly into the official bank account of Give Education a Priority Organization (GEPO) to maintain transparency. Should banking or international transfer restrictions arise, funds may be temporarily held in my Western account as Technical Director and co-founder, and will be immediately forwarded to GEPO once access is secure. Every donation will go towards these specific budget lines, and donors will be updated regularly, in line with our commitment to transparency and accountability.

Every dollar you contribute will be used exactly as described above: to bring clean, life-saving water to hundreds of families in South Sudan's neediest communities.​

To learn more or to support our work, visit: https://www.giveeducationapriority.org

info@giveeducationapriority,org

Jeremiah Madhol Ater - Cofounder and Technical Director

+33743569648

Daniel Madit Mariak Bol - Co-founder and Exective Director

+211927483432

Riich Madhang Riich - Finance Manager

+211929655963