Learn. Lead. Connect.
Join in THE most incredible journey.
Walk for Wisdom℠ is an education and service challenge for K–12 students. Through the story of South Sudan, students explore global issues, build leadership and empathy, and take action through service-learning and fundraising to expand educational opportunities.
Register before September 15, 2026
Learn More About the Journey
From a Walk for Survival to a Walk for Education
In 1987, civil war in Sudan forced an estimated 30,000 children to flee their villages. They walked a thousand miles to reach refugee camps and became known as the Lost Boys of Sudan.
Among them were James "Lubo" Mijak, Ngor Kur Mayol, James Manyror, and Daniel Majok Gai. After arriving in the United States in 2001 through a special State Department initiative, they dreamed of bringing education back to their home villages.
In partnership with Mothering Across Continents, they helped build primary schools in those same communities. Today, the schools serve hundreds of children, girls graduate at nearly the same rate as boys, and graduates who earn high school merit scholarships pay it forward by returning to their primary schools as assistant teachers after graduation. Through Walk for Wisdom, participants become part of this continuing story—walking to help create educational opportunities for children in South Sudan.
Connecting Futures
Education today is about more than classrooms. Schools are encouraged to raise at least $2,500 to support technology-enhanced learning environments. Funds help expand satellite connectivity across four primary schools through Mothering Across Continents' Raising South Sudan initiative, giving students access to digital educational resources and teachers opportunities for enhanced training and professional development.
Every Journey Begins with a Step
For the Lost Boys of Sudan, walking meant survival. Today, many children in South Sudan still walk 45 minutes or more each way to reach school or clean water.
For our students, walking becomes an act of learning, compassion, and service.
The signature Walk for Wisdom service-learning event is a walkathon held on school tracks. However, in addition to the walk, participating schools can also engage in the project through a variety of creative events or fundraisers, including readathons, raffles, sporting events, and danceathons. Walk for Wisdom is designed to fit your community. Your journey will look different from every other school's—and that's exactly the point.
Primary Schools
Start Global Education Early. Students build empathy, leadership, and global awareness while learning that they can make a difference. Walk for Wisdom complements literacy, social studies, SEL, and service-learning programs, and schools can participate at a level that fits their needs and capacity. Students walk about 1.5 miles on their own campus. Schools receive:
A ready-to-teach lesson plan and walking activity, aligned to NC Healthful Living standards
A step-by-step planning resource delivered in emails timed to your event date
Promotional and fundraising resources and our team’s support
Flexibility that works for you: one classroom, one grade level, or your whole school — on the date that fits your calendar
Secondary Schools
Challenge Students to Lead. Walk for Wisdom empowers students to lead meaningful projects that build leadership, teamwork, communication, and intercultural understanding while creating real-world impact.
Every school also receives:
A ready-to-teach lesson plan and walking activity, aligned to NC Social Studies Inquiry Indicators and Digital Learning Standards
A step-by-step planning resource delivered in emails timed to your event date
Promotional and fundraising resources and our team’s support
Join in and support your students in becoming global citizens and young leaders. Sign up before September 15, 2026.
Learn More
Once a walker, now the Project Manager. A decade ago, I was one of the students who helped build this initiative (that's me in the photo below, on the far left). I came back to lead it because I know firsthand what your students will gain from the experience. Reach out using the contact form. I’m happy to answer any questions.
Milan Novaković
Project Manager, Walk for Wisdom℠, an initiative of Youth & Peace in Action℠
