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Why is a water charity providing scholarships to girls?

New Video on Drop in the Bucket’s Education Program in South Sudan

We recently completed this video on our education program in South Sudan. It does a good job of explaining why a water charity would expand its program to include providing scholarships to girls.

Since Drop in the Bucket started in 2006, our goal has been simple: to help children in sub-Saharan Africa go to school by building wells and toilets in schools. In 2009, we expanded our program to include South Sudan. The reason was simple: South Sudan has fewer girls in school than any other country in Africa.

Scholarship recipient from Drop in the Bucket's education program in Nimule, South Sudan.

The Benefits of Education

In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, education is highly valued by parents. However, poverty and limited resources often force families to make difficult choices. Sons are prioritized for education while daughters are often relegated to household chores, including the daily task of fetching water for the family.

Recognizing this disparity, Drop in the Bucket expanded our program to start providing secondary school scholarships to girls. By collaborating closely with local school authorities, we identify high-potential girls who are at risk of dropping out due to financial constraints or cultural norms. Through its scholarship program, Drop in the Bucket provides these girls with the financial support they need to continue their education and realize their full potential.

But why is a water charity providing scholarships to girls?

But why focus only on girl education? Well, when girls go to school, it’s not just good for them. It’s good for everyone! Girls who go to school are more likely to get married later, have fewer children, and are able to do more to help their families and communities. Simply put, education helps people lift themselves out of poverty.

South Sudanese scholarship recipients from Drop in the Bucket's education program in Nimule, South Sudan

We don’t just stop at scholarships. We also help fix other problems that stop girls from going to school, like not having clean water or toilets. By fixing these things at schools, we make it easier for girls to learn. Girls are usually affected more when there’s no clean water or toilets at school.

In a world where boys often get more chances than girls, we’re working hard to change that. We want to make sure every child, no matter if they’re a boy or a girl, has the chance to go to school. So, we’re asking you to join us in making a difference, one well, one child, and one scholarship at a time.

A student from the Drop in the Bucket education program in South Sudan at the International Day of the Girl Child celebration 2023

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Our First Students Graduate!

Girl Education in Africa – Our Work in South Sudan


We have some exciting news! Drop in the Bucket has just celebrated the graduation of our first group of South Sudanese secondary students. South Sudan has the lowest percentage of girls in secondary school in all of Africa. So this is a huge milestone in our goal to promote more girl education in Africa. 

When we first started our scholarship program four years ago, we were not expecting inter-tribal war, a refugee crisis, or a global pandemic. 

But despite many enormous challenges, we have a wonderful reason to celebrate. The first group of twenty-five girls has officially graduated from secondary school. 

Drop in the Bucket girl education in Africa - South Sudan

In the past four years, these girls have become part of the DROP family. We have mentored them through hard times, cheered on their victories, and watched them grow and thrive. 

The program started with 25 girls and is now sponsoring 140 vulnerable but hardworking girls to go to school. 

Graduating South Sudanese girls celebrate graduating secondary school in a program implemented by Drop in the Bucket

For the graduation, a group of donors funded a gift for each of them, which was a tailor-made traditional dress, handbags, and watches. The girls also got the opportunity to Zoom with supporters in the US. It was a wonderful day of celebrating their great accomplishment. Community members and education stakeholders also attended the graduation party. Some gave motivational speeches about how proud they were of these girls. The girls also read poems and spoke to the group about their experience.  

Click here to read more about our education program.

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International Women’s Day 2020

International Wome’s Day 2020

As we look forward to celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, 2020, we’d like to give an update on a very special project close to our hearts.
We recently heard from the parish priest in Nimule, South Sudan that a compound that belongs to the church, which was previously occupied by some nuns, was coming available to rent.

The compound is very well secured with two gates, five building blocks, large grounds with lots of trees and it is very close to their school. Everything about the place is perfect. It’s been pretty neglected due to a lack of money for maintenance and repairs when the sisters were there.

So we would like to clean it up and make some repairs before we take the girls over.

We are officially moving into the new dormitory on April 1st!


A young female student lays down in her dorm bunk in Uganda

A Brighter Future For Young Girls in Africa

Drop in the Bucket’s girl education program in South Sudan works to identify primary school students who are excelling academically, but cannot afford to attend secondary school. We began sponsoring students in 2016 and currently have awarded over 100 girls with secondary school scholarships.

Since most of their parents are living in the refugee camps, we try to enroll our girls in boarding schools in Uganda. But not all of our students qualify to attend school in Uganda. So we have now opened the DROP dorm in South Sudan, which currently accommodates many of these girls. Our goal is to provide them with a safe learning environment where they are free to grow, create and pursue their academic dreams.

“If every girl worldwide received 12 years of quality education, lifetime earnings for women could increase by up to $30 trillion globally, boosting the GDPs of entire countries worldwide.”- MIT Solve

Students in Uganda smiling in class


How You Can Help

In order to get the new dorm in shape, we’ll need to do some painting, fixing up, piping water from the well to the bathrooms, and even putting a new roof on one of the buildings. Your donations will go directly toward making those much-needed repairs. The girls are so excited to be moving in by April 1st and we can’t wait to send you photos!

Your Support Helps Empower Young Women

& Creates A Brighter Future For Us All

Donate Now

A large group of students in Uganda smile for Drop in the Bucket


 Empowering Girls


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