The Summerton Rotary Club is producing a musical event, “Songs of Hope. Water for Life.,” as a benefit to provide clean water for several communities in the African country of South Sudan, the world’s newest and poorest country.
The benefit concert is planned for 4 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Manning High School gymnasium.
“Sunday afternoon is destined to be a grand celebration of spiritual music,” said the Rev. Dr. Al Truesdale, creative director of the Summerton Rotary Club project.
The program begins with a 3:30 p.m. prelude by the Manning High School Jazz Band. The main program begins at 4 p.m. with the MHS Gospel Choir, followed by a brief presentation on the project, a performance by the Rev. Daniel Miles and his family, and a finale by the Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church Choir.
“It is sure to be an uplifting and entertaining musical and spiritual celebration,” Truesdale said. “Each of these groups would be an outstanding show on their own.”
Summerton Rotary President Falecia Miller said club member Dr. Lynn Teague became aware of the great need for clean water in South Sudan while performing medical mission work in Africa.
“Dr. Teague and some friends privately funded a well in the remote village of Akot (South Sudan) and witnessed the incredible life-changing benefits the clean water well provided,” Miller said.
Teague told the story to the Summerton Rotary Club, and the members were inspired to help. As more conversation occurred, the idea developed into an effort to fund a well, and the project has since grown into providing clean water to several communities with a dire need.
“Our members enthusiastically embraced the idea, and we have been working diligently over the past couple of years to get organized, build partnerships, make assessments and raise funds to accomplish our goal,” Teague said. “The results have been remarkable.”
Miller said a past president and founding club member, Bea Rivers, proposed the idea of a community concert to help raise some of the necessary funds, and club members embraced the idea.
“We’ve found a group of generous sponsors to support the effort,” Miller said. “It has truly become a community effort.”
Teague said the effort has extended beyond the local club.
“This has been a global effort to accomplish this task,” Teague said. “We have been raising the necessary funds to build wells through a variety of contacts and organizations.”
A key part of the concert fundraising effort has been Rotarian Dr. Don Miller.
“It’s been a labor of love for me and my fellow Rotarians,” Dr. Miller said. “As I became more aware of the lack of, and the great need for, clean water in South Sudan, it was easy to get motivated to help in the project. We’re making a life-changing difference in the lives of our neighbors and friends in South Sudan.”
The club is initially working to raise $50,000, which will be matched by the Alaska Health Project for South Sudan.
“We’ve received enthusiastic and generous support from our local and global community,” President Miller said. “It is inspiring what can be accomplished by this talented and accomplished group of Rotarians.”
Fundraising efforts will continue past Sunday’s concert. Those who would like more information or make a donation may contact any Summerton Rotarian or email Wells4southsudan@gmail.com.
