Our story
#watersaveslives
Clean water is a vital necessity for communities to thrive physically, mentally, economically, socially + spiritually.
—The United Nations
1975
Our Founder, Sobonfu Somé started to carry water when she was 2-3 years old, in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Starting with 'a small bucket,' she graduated to carrying 30-40 pounds + walking with the other women up tp 10 miles a day for water.
2003
Sobonfu told her story at a local High School in Leesburg, VA—which prompted the question that birthed, the first Walk + W4W Club, which raised funds to build 5 wells in Burkina Faso. We keep asking, "if they walk for water, why can't we?'
2023
We're celebrating our 20th Anniversary + the fact that we haven't stopped walking. We've now had an entire generation of Students graduate through the W4W program—raising funds for 47 well projects + 4,200 tuitions.
2024
We continue to honor Sobonfu + 'her small bucket,' with a campaign to bring W4W to additional High Schools + a new after-school program for Middle Schoolers...because we're not going to stop walking anytime soon, Sobonfu! Barka, Barka, Barka!!
Sobonfu Somé
Founder, Dagara Elder, Author of The Spirit of Intimacy, Welcoming Spirit Home + Falling Out of Grace: Meditations on Loss, Healing and Wisdom
Our Founder
In the Dagara tribe's ancestral tradition, every child brings a gift to earth that is 'needed' in their 'Village.'
Far From Home
Sobonfu, which means, Keeper of the Rituals, was tasked to learn + eventually bring the ancestral wisdom to the West.
Finding Her 'Gift'
With no formal education, she learned 6 languages + wrote 2 books on Ritual + a memoir of her life's journey, as the 'Keeper.'
Forward...
After walking with us for many, many miles, Sobonfu passed in 2017—but her legacy of water, wells + Wisdom will forever Spring.
Susan Hough
Founder + Executive Director, Founder of Living Your Gifts Coaching + Author of Walking With Sobonfu
Ancient Wisdom
With a background in Social Work + Counseling, when Susan read Sobonfu's first book on Ritual—she was 'called' to meet her.
The First Step
It was Susan who brought Sobonfo to her daughter's school in Leesburg, VA—where they learned about her journey with (+ without) water.
Building Wells
They created a 'found family,' then founded both Wisdom Spring + W4W, working together until Sobonfu's passing—including traveling to well projects together.
Lasting Legacy
Susan has continued her walk with Sobonfu, taking on the Executive Director + Board Chair roles for Wisdom Spring + serving as the W4W Educator + Director.
Our Board
#changemakers
Our Members generously lend their time + talents to making our strategic vision possible...Barka!
Malik Springer
Original W4W Member + Walk Organizer
Debbie Siday
H.R. Specialist + Human Capital Strategist
Veronique Porter
Artist, Wisdom Spring Volunteer + Philanthropist
Anna Madorsky
B.A. Anthropology + Phen-Dey Foundation Volunteer
Our Partners
#socialchange
We're grateful for the Partners who have helped us find the Communities most in need + to fund building wells, in new parts of the world.
The Global Bridge Foundation
Grant Partner
We are honored to start a collaboration with the Global Bridge Foundation, a dynamic + proactive organization focused on the support and care of the world around us, offering strategic guidance and funding for self-sustaining programs. Global Bridge generously funded three well projects in 2023. We hope it is just the beginning...
Phen-Dey Foundation
Foundation Partner
The Phen-Dey Foundation's mission is the preservation + promotion of the Tibetan culture, through education, cultural, social + development activities + they are constantly looking for ways to support the larger Indian community. Phen-Dey helped us build wells in 12 Indian villages— 2 in populations of the untouchable caste—bridging a gap in services for this important community. Our hope is to do much more.
Our Mission
#sustainable
By lifting the gender water burden + the uncertainty of access to clean water, our work uplifts the physical, mental, economic, social + spiritual life of the Communities we serve—as well as the Students in the W4W Clubs, providing them a platform for change, against the uncertainties they face in our rapidly changing world.