Geography & Locations
What U.S. city and state did Salva move to?
Rochester, New York.
What does the word “refugee” mean?
A person who leaves their country because of war or danger.
What is the name of the girl who walks every day to get water, and what country is she from?
Nya, from South Sudan.
How old was Salva when he had to leave his home?
About 11 years old.
What is the name of the boy who runs from war, and what country is he from?
Salva, from Sudan.
What part of Africa is South Sudan in, and name two countries that border it.
South Sudan is in northeastern Africa. Two bordering countries are Ethiopia and Kenya.
How much time did Nya spend walking to and from the pond every day?
About eight hours.
Who was Salva’s uncle, and what job did he have before the war?
His name was Uncle Jewiir, and he was a soldier in the Sudanese army.
What important decision did Salva make after moving to the U.S.?
He decided to help people in South Sudan by building wells for clean water.
Where did Salva sleep the first night after running away?
In a barn with an old woman.
What was the name of the river near Ethiopia and Sudan, and what was it known for?
The Gilo River; it was known for crocodiles and strong currents.
What physical feature on Salva shows he is from a different tribe?
The scar markings on his forehead.
What was the name of Salva’s friend, and what happened to him?
His friend’s name was Marial. He was separated from the group and killed by a lion.
Give an example of English words Salva found confusing and why.
“Cold” and “cool” sounded alike but had different meanings.
Why did the group not want Salva to go with them at first? What changed their mind?
He was a child and might slow them down. A woman convinced them not to leave him behind.
What is a clinic? Why was Mawien taken there? How far did he walk to get there, and what was wrong with him?
A clinic is like a small hospital. Mawien walked eight hours because he was sick from dirty water.
What were the reasons Salva and others were kicked out of the refugee camp in Ethiopia?
The Ethiopian government collapsed, and soldiers forced the refugees out.
What was the name of the person who helped Salva in the refugee camp, and how did he help him? What country was this man from?
Michael, an aid worker from Ireland, taught Salva English and played volleyball with him.
Why was it so difficult for Salva to speak in front of crowds, and what motivated him to overcome that fear?
He was shy and afraid, but he overcame it because he wanted to share his story and raise money for clean water.
Why was Nya unsure of Salva when they first met?
Because he was from a different tribe, and different tribes often didn’t trust each other.
What caused the civil war in Sudan, and what did the North and South each believe or practice?
The North followed Islam and spoke Arabic; the South practiced traditional religions and spoke many local languages.
What is the significance of the title A Long Walk to Water?
It represents both Nya’s daily water journey and Salva’s long journey for safety and hope, connecting their struggles through water.
How did Salva show leadership during his journey with the other boys to Kenya, and what qualities made him a good leader?
Salva encouraged the boys, helped organize them, and kept them together. He showed responsibility, courage, and care for others.
What role did education and learning English play in Salva’s life at the refugee camp?
It helped him talk to aid workers, move to the U.S., gain confidence, and later share his story to help others.
How do Salva’s and Nya’s stories connect at the end of the book?
Salva builds a well in Nya’s village, which brings clean water, changes her daily life, improves health, and gives the village hope for the future.