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WHEREAS, River Nile Villages (RNV) Sudanese Education Fund is a Pittsburgh-based organization whose mission is to build a school in Duk Payuel, Duk County, Southern Sudan; and
WHEREAS, RNV was founded by Aluong Garang, a "Lost Boy" who settled in Pittsburgh in 2001, and an Episcopal priest in Aluong's village; and
WHEREAS, the term, "Lost Boys," was coined by United Nations aid workers who were monitoring the flight of boys from Sudan who were trying to escape deadly attacks by armed militias; and
WHEREAS, many community members serve on the board of RNV and have been actively pursuing Aluong's dream of building the first formal school in his home village-Duk Payuel; and
WHEREAS, Kate Ruppel, "Mama Kate," was Aluong's point of contact when he reached Pittsburgh and Ms. Ruppel has remained indispensable to RNV as Board President; and
WHEREAS, during the week of April 20th, RNV is sponsoring "Hello, Southern Sudan / Pittsburgh Calling" week and will host several events to raise awareness of the need to rebuild in Southern Sudan.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Council of the City thanks the River Nile Villages Sudanese Education Fund for their efforts to promote education and schools in Duk Payuel, Southern Sudan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby declares the week of April 20, 2009 as "Hello, Southern Sudan / Pittsburgh Calling Week" in the City of Pittsburgh.