In Southern Sudan, less than one percent of girls completes secondary school. Due to economic hardship, girls are often married off at a young age to either lessen the economic burden or as a survival strategy for the family. It is more common for a young girl to be a wife or a mother rather than a student. In 2009, the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation opened a new high school in Marial Bai, Valentino’s hometown. Valentino, a Sudanese refugee, was one of the infamous Lost Boys of Sudan who made Atlanta his home after narrowly escaping the civil conflict in his region. In 2003, Valentino met Dave Eggers, who subsequently authored his biography, What Is The What. Both Valentino and Eggers agreed that all proceeds from the book would go towards the Sudanese community.

Hundreds of girls applied to the new school in Marial Bai, but cultural pressure and lack of boarding facilities prevented them from enrolling. The foundation is currently raising funds to continue community development as well as provide female students with a safe learning environment. Construction is almost complete on the new girls’ dormitories, which will accommodate nearly 100 young women. AW’s T-shirt project will raise $300 to provide a one-year scholarship for a school girl, in the hopes that she can foster an education and have an alternative to early marriage.

Our soft, fitted cotton blend tees were printed locally by Crescent Screen Printing. The $10 donation will go directly to the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

Special thanks to our models, Chelsea and Jen, and to LeahAndMark.com photography for donating their time and featuring our tees on the Art on the Beltline project.