Des Plaines District 62 students helping South Sudan people

Des Plaines kids are swapping beverages for water to help people in South Sudan.

Plainfield Elementary School fifth grade students are participating in the "Iron Giraffe Challenge" to help nonprofit organization Water for South Sudan build a new drilling rig in the African country.

Students will be challenged to make water their only beverage for two weeks, saving money normally spent on drinks and donating the proceeds to the organization.

Library Media Center Specialist Jason Hanrahan said students were inspired by the book "A Long Walk to Water," about the organization's founder, Salva Dut.

"The idea that millions of people do not have access to clean water, while millions of others take it for granted daily is a devastating reality," Hanrahan said.

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