Cochrane students are literally using their heads to help.
Carrying water jugs on their heads, shoulders and backs, more than 600 students between Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School and Manachaban Middle School got together for the second annual Walk for the Well of It to raise funds to build a water well in Nicaragua.
“As soon as kids find out how hard other kids have to work for something we have so easily, they just want to help,” said Jeanne Wright, Grade 3 teacher at Elizabeth Barrett.
Students in the elementary and middle schools were asked to bring empty milk containers and a small donation for the second water walk March 24. The jugs were then filled with water and students carried them the field between the schools for 30 minutes to an hour.
“We are tying to teach them that small can be big and by just raising little bits of money at a time, we can make a big difference and hopefully start a ripple of kids continuing to help others,” Wright said.
Initiated by Wright a year ago, the walk was inspired by the teacher’s sister who works for the Change for Children Association (CFCA). Wright’s sister gave a presentation to the students about the how much water is used in Canada compared to Third World countries and how a lot of girls have to stay home from school because they have to fetch water for their families.
Wright’s sister challenged people across Canada to build teams and raise $365 over the next year – a dollar a day for the “well of it.”
“The just want to help other kids,” Wright said.
As part of the Nicaragua Water Project, the Cochrane students pledged to donate $10,000 to help build the well in a rural area in Nicaragua. Last year the walk raised [$$].
“We are not going to stop until we get enough money for a well,” Wright said.
To avoid wasting water, the students used it on the grass and trees – and all of the containers were recycled with the proceeds going toward the fundraiser.
For more information on the Nicaragua Water Project, go to changeforchildren.org.
