Updates:
Great Story on True NBA this past week...see Video
The World has lost a great friend
One of the thousands of great articles about how amazing a person Manute was
http://www.theroot.com/views/manute-bols-gigantic-heart
Manute and the Rev. Tom Pritchard recently traveled to Southern Sudan to see the progress of the schools being built. Hope to have some photos of the progress!! Thanks to everyone that has donated! (12/9)
Come and listen to Manute's Story and learn about the Turalei School Project!!
November 3rd, 2009
University of Rochester
Interfaith Chapel 7pm-8pm
*Free and Open to the Public
9/23 -Three classrooms were completed in Turalei in May 2009. An opening ceremony was held in June. Currently, about 230 students are attending classes inside this building. Classes of 120 students are still meeting outside under trees until more classrooms are constructed.
Progress in Turalei. Construction almost completed on three classrooms for Manute Bol's school in Turalei, South Sudan. May 2009 (see photo) We are making a difference! There is still a long way to go...thanks for all your support.
Videos
http://www.vimeo.com/2398076
Articles
Manute's Mission ( March 26th Yahoo Article)
USA Today Article about Manute's School Project
Students Raise Money for Turalei School in Sudan
First off thank you for visiting my fundraising page! I appreciate your support through donations or by just learning more about the situation in Sudan.
What: I am helping raise money for Manute Bol to take to back to his village in Sudan so the people there may begin making the bricks to build a School House. Currently the children learn underneath a tree in the village... but during the rainy season there is no school because there are no structures to house the children. In addition to raising funds for a school house funds will be used for supplies and learning materials.
Who is Manute? : Manute is a native of Sudan. He was living the typical Dinka life in Southern Sudan whan he was discovered by a distant relative who thought he would be an amazing basketball player(Manute stands 7 feet seven inches tall). Manute over a few years earned his way into the NBA were he played for 10 seasons. While he earned millions he gave it all away to support his people in Southern Sudan who while he was in America had become the victims of government led genocide. He spent ALL of his own money to lobby congress for help , support civilian defense forces in his homeland and feed and support the people of Southern Sudan who are still be being attacked and killed today. Manute has given up all he has for his people and needs our help.
About the Project :
There is a school in Turalei. Classes are held under a tree, and some 400 children will walk there from miles around to attend.
"But when it rains," Bol said, "there is no school because they are under a tree. I am trying to put a roof over their heads so there will be school every day." The rainy season lasts from late April through October. During his trip to his village in January and February 2008, Manute made a promise to the people that he would help raise funds to build a school. The first phase will be to construct a building with local materials. The cost for similar schools is around $120,000. Here is your opportunity to help Manute to bring a higher level of learning than currently exists in his home village in Sudan.
Eighty-five percent of the population in South Sudan is illiterate. The most single valuable thing we may be able to give to the people of South Sudan is education. There is little infrastructure in South Sudan, and the region is literally starting from nothing. And, Manuate knows the key to peace is education.
Darfur, Sudan -The current war in Darfur has killed 300,000 and displaced 2 million.Manute often travels back to Sudan and spends much time promoting peace, especially in Darfur, and helping friends and family as much as he can. He has spent over 3.5 Million of his own money (all the money he earned from his career in the NBA) to support his people who have been the victims of genocide at the hands of the Sudanese Government.
For more information please email Joe DiCostanzo at joebetty@swbell.net. or call Joe at 913-362-5466, or call the Sudan Sunrise office at 913-599-0800, email info@sudansunrise.org. Help Manute reach his goals! You can also make a tax deductible donation by mailing a check to Sudan Sunrise, 8643 Hauser Ct., Ste. 240, Lenexa, KS 66215 (with "Manute Bol" in the memo field). Or, donate online at www.sudansunrise.org. Sudan Sunrise is approved by the IRS for tax exempt status, and donations are tax deductible.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
Learn More about the situation in Sudan
Sudan Sunrise - sudansunrise.org
Sudanese Refugee...turned US Olympian http://lopezlomong.org/