(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs School (CSS) is looking to make a difference by partnering with Charity: Water to dig a well in an African village and bring clean water to those in need.
Recently, Charity: Water held a presentation to students at CSS, where they learned that 703 million people in the world live without clean water and shared the long distances many have to walk to collect contaminated water.
“I didn’t know how diseased the water could be,” said sixth grader Maddy Palmer of CSS. “They’re walking all that way just to get water that’s dirty. They’re putting themselves in danger doing that, so it’s really sad and frustrating.”
The students also engaged in a hands-on activity carrying jugs weighing 40 pounds over a short distance to simulate collecting water; students were then asked to imagine how it would feel to carry that water for an hour.
CSS is partnering with Charity: Water to drill a well in a village in Malawi, one of the poorest countries, thanks to a donation made by members of the CSS community.
“We all know that many people lack access to clean water, and Malawi starkly illustrates how fortunate our students are,” said Head of School Dr. Ryan Kelly, adding that CSS is considering sponsoring a well each year. “I want them to understand the impact they can have and realize they are part of a global community.”
Along with the donation, the project is being integrated with the fifth-grade curriculum, which focuses on human rights, and the sixth-grade curriculum, which studies Africa.
Students will get updates throughout the 12-month project, including photos.
“You’re going to be able to see and learn more about Malawi and the lives that you changed on the other side of the globe,” Kaitlyn McDonald, a key relationships officer for Charity: Water, said during her presentation to fifth and sixth graders. “We are talking about kids who have the same dreams, the same aspirations, the same hopes as you, and you are going to make a world of difference for them.”
“I’m super excited to be involved,” Maddy said. “It feels really good because part of my dream is to make sure everyone has equal rights all across the world.”
