Students and community members raised more than $16,000 at the ARC’s GiveBack KickBack, a fundraiser to support the efforts of the School for Abul project, on Friday.

The street party was hosted at Main Gate Square. Several local restaurants held percentage nights for the project, and students set up games and activity booths. The street party featured live entertainment from African musicians and local dance groups, as well as a DJ “”spinoff”” contest.

Dr. Cindi Gilliland, a senior lecturer at Eller College of Management, coordinated the event. Gilliland is the founder and faculty advisor for the Arizona Refugee Connection, a student organization dedicated to facilitating refugee resettlement in the community.

“”Our professor [Gilliland] always volunteers to help refugees and she inspired us. So we said, ‘Why don’t we just set up a student organization?'”” said accounting senior Fang Yuan. “”It’s been two years now and tonight is the biggest event ever for us.””

School for Abul was inspired by UA international studies student John Akuar, a refugee and one of the “”Lost Boys of Sudan.”” Akuar came to Tucson in 2004 and later became a U.S. citizen. After returning to Sudan in 2009 to visit his family for the first time in 22 years, he dreamt of building a school in Abul.

“”It’s pretty much just a big event for everybody to get involved,”” said Charlie Booth, an accounting senior. “”It’s great for the people who are involved, and hopefully it’s just as great for the people in Africa who need the school.””

Gilliland said the event brought in over $16,000 as of Sunday, and pledges were still coming in.

Ninety percent of the money raised will go to School for Abul and drilling a new well in the village. The remaining money will benefit the ARC.