Manute made a promise to the people that he would help raise funds to build a school in his hometown of Turelei. An uneducated young man when he came to the US to attend school and play basketball in 1983, Manute firmly believed that one of the important keys to peace in Sudan is education for its children.

In January 2011, Southern Sudan voted overwhelmingly for independence from Northern Sudan. With this independence, one of the main government priorities is primary school education. In a country ravaged by war, starvation and oppression for over 20 years, children received a minimum primary education in refugee camps, or no education at all. Southern Sudan rudimentary schools are being organized using the shade of trees for classrooms with volunteer teachers.

The first ever basketball court was recently built in Manute's birthplace of Turalei to offer others opportunities he never had. It's one step toward peace and reconciliation efforts as Southern Sudan nears full independence in July.

Join NBA Cares, Sudan Sunrise and NBA TV's True NBA team, including John King, Kevin McHale (who voiced the video above), Chris Webber and David Aldridge, in the effort to support education in Southern Sudan by raising awareness and funds to see Bol's dream become a reality.