Every morning in parts of Sudan, the day begins not with school or work, but with a journey for water.

For many families, especially women and children, this walk can take several hours each day, often under extreme heat. The water they return with is frequently unsafe, taken from contaminated surface sources that expose families to waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, two of the leading causes of illness and death among children.

Today, the situation is critical. Over 15 million people in Sudan lack access to safe drinking water, and ongoing conflict and displacement have pushed millions more into areas where water systems have collapsed. In many communities, schools cannot operate properly, crops cannot be sustained, and basic hygiene becomes nearly impossible.

But a single water well changes everything.

When a well is installed, children return to school instead of spending hours collecting water. Families experience fewer illnesses. Communities regain stability, dignity, and hope. One well can serve hundreds of people for years, turning a one-time act of charity into ongoing relief.

For CIS alumni, this is more than a project. It is a chance to create Sadaqah Jariyah. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The best charity is giving water.” Every drop drawn from a well becomes a source of reward, continuing long after the donation is made.

Together, generations of Calgary Islamic School alumni have the opportunity to turn their unity into a legacy that flows, bringing life to families in Sudan and reward that continues for years to come.