Salva Dut

December 1, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Salva Dut, born on December 1, 1974, in Southern Sudan, is an activist. His father’s illness inspired him to bring clean and safe water to Sudan. His desire birthed Water for South Sudan, a not-for-profit corporation, in 2003. In 2010, a biographical novel of Dut titled “A Long Walk to Water” was written by Linda Sue Park. The book has sold more than one million copies worldwide. We will help you celebrate Dut’s special day right here!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Salva Dut

Birth date:

December 1, 1974

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Sagittarius

Height:

5' 6"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$1.5 million

Background

Salva Dut is a role model for many humanitarian missions. Dut, born on December 1, 1974, in Southern Sudan, is the son of Mawien Dut. Dut was 11 years old when he and his family separated during the civil war in Sudan in 1985. He is of African descent and comes from a remote village in the tribe of the Dinka.

Dut was a part of the infamous Lost Boys of Sudan, a group of 17,000 boys who sought refuge in Ethiopia and Kenya during the war. He led about 1,500 of the lost boys from Ethiopia through Sudan to the Kakuma refugee camp. Dut spent six years in a refugee camp controlled by the United Nations before moving to the United States in 1996.

Dut enrolled at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, where he took three jobs to pay his college fees. In 2002, after 16 years of being apart, Dut finally reunited with his father. He returned to Sudan to find out his father was suffering from waterborne diseases, and this inspired him to bring clean and safe water to South Sudan by raising funds and drilling wells. This caused Dut to establish Water for South Sudan in Rochester, New York, in 2003. In 2010, a biographical novel of Dut titled “A Long Walk to Water” was written by Linda Sue Park. The book has sold more than one million copies worldwide. In 2016, Dut gave a moving TedTalk at TEDxBeaconStreet in Boston.

Dut lives a very private life but is married with kids. He works to inform and educate people about impoverished cities in South Sudan.

Career timeline

2002

Dut Reunites with His Father

After being separated from his family for many years, Dut finally reunites with his father.

1996

He Moves to the United States

After his stay in the refugee camp, Dut moves to the U.S. to reside there.

2010

His Biography

A biography novel of Dut titled “A Long Walk to Water” is written by Linda Sue Park.

2016

He Gives a TEDTalk

He gives a moving TedTalk at TEDxBeaconStreet in Boston.

Why We Love Salva Dut

He is conservative
Dut did not seek fame from his activism but instead wanted to provide a solution to a problem. He is very private and keeps his life away from the media.
He is an inspiration
Dut serves as an inspiration to many across the world. We admire him!
He loves to help people
Dut identified a big problem in his community and knew they needed him. He decided to raise funds and drill wells for the people in communities in South Sudan.

5 Surprising Facts

He was part of the 17,000
Dut was separated from his family when the civil war began and joined the 17,000 Lost Boys of Sudan.
He led 1,500 lost boys
Dut led the survivors from Ethiopia through hundreds of deserts to the U.N. refugee camp.
He got separated from his family
Dut was away from his family for 16 years.
His father’s illness inspired him
His father’s sickness inspired him to bring clean and safe water to South Sudan.
He lives in South Africa
Dut resides in Wau, South Africa.