F.E. Bellows Students Bring Awareness To African Water Crisis

MAMARONECK, NY — A group of fourth-graders in Susan Marks’ Seekers and Solvers’ class at F.E. Bellows Elementary School — who had studied the water crisis in Africa, and more specifically, the water walk that young girls take to get water for their villages — recently held a “Be Aware Fair” to share their knowledge with the rest of their peers. Having read numerous articles and books, watched videos and researched information about the water crisis and its effects on young girls’ education, the students felt compelled to educate others about it and make a difference.

They worked collaboratively to create posters, videos, slideshows and drawings to bring attention to the global issue, according to a district spokesman. At the fair, the students welcomed other fourth-graders to their tables, where they presented the information they’d gathered and engaged in important discussions on the topic.

“Watching my students become so engaged in this project was amazing,” Marks said. “They were exposed to a global issue that many of them had no idea was even a problem. They showed compassion, were pushed out of their comfort zone and really were impressive in their eagerness to learn more.”

At one station, students were challenged to carry a large backpack around their school’s gymnasium to simulate what young girls their age experience in Africa every day.

“The main thing that the students discovered is that they are so lucky to live in a place where water is so accessible,” Marks added. “When they are thirsty, they can leave the classroom at any time and get water from a water fountain. Not everyone has that ability.”

Fourth-grader Brady Sergio said he felt passionate about bringing awareness to the water crisis in Africa and hopes that more people can get involved to solve the problem.

“They have to walk for hours and the water isn’t even clean,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of people die because of this dirty water that they’re drinking. And to think about that they have to work for it, it’s astounding how they do that.”

The project was part of the district’s Schoolwide Enrichment Model and F.E. Bellows’ Seekers and Solvers STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) program, designed to develop students’ ability to think critically and creatively through project-based learning experiences.

Photo caption: F.E. Bellows Elementary School fourth-graders held a “Be Aware Fair” to share their knowledge about the water crisis in Africa with the rest of their peers. Photo credit: Rye Neck Union Free School District.