Simon's Story
Simon Guy Riak is a trailblazer who defied the odds to prove that empowering women as pump mechanics wasn’t just possible—it was transformative. Riding his motorbike through flooded bushlands, Simon turned skepticism into belief, convincing village elders, government officials, and even doubtful husbands that women could lead a movement to reshape their communities.
He is what leadership looks like.
Simon Bhut Ghai was born into poverty and raised as a cattle herder in South Sudan. War forced him to flee to a refugee camp in Kenya, where life was hard—dusty, hot, and uncertain. But Simon didn’t stop. He studied, he served, and he rose.
Today, he leads Water is Basic’s work in South Sudan.
He trains and empowers women and brings clean water to places that have been without it for too long.
Simon is not just a leader—he is a builder of leaders. He’s lived the struggle, and now he lives the solution.
This is why Water is Basic invests in local leaders. Because when people like Simon are equipped and empowered, everything changes:
— Clean water flows.
— Communities rebuild.
— Hope returns.
You can stand with Simon. You can be part of this movement.
Watch. Share. Give. And help hope rise.
