Riverhead Kids Take Water Challenge to Raise Awareness

Riverhead kids have been learning about a global water crisis — and to help they made a pledge to raise awareness by drinking only water for two weeks.

The concept was born after Mindy Benze’s English classes at the Riverhead Middle School began studying the book "A Long Walk To Water", by Linda Sue Park. According to a short overview on on her website, "'A Long Walk to Water' is based on the true story of Salva, one of some 3,800 Sudanese 'Lost Boys' airlifted to the United States beginning in the mid 1990s."

Salva, after a life of tragedy, eventually returned home to southern Sudan to establish a foundation that places deep-water wells in remote villages in dire need of clean water, the author explained on her site.

Benze's students were so moved that they created a "Water Challenge" for middle school teachers, staff and students, asking them to drink only water for two weeks, with an eye toward raising awareness. 

Those who took the challenge donated the money they'd saved by not buying sodas or iced teas to The Water Project. 

So far, the kids have have collected over $1,000.

The money will be combined with funds raised by students in other schools that have participated in a Water Challenge, to fund the digging of a well in a place like the Sudan. Building a well costs approximately $15,000. 

Benze created a video to share comments about the project, which helped illustrate what a book can mean to students who dig beneath the surface; the book was part of the  New York State Common Core curriculum modules.

One of Benze’s students, Marcele Davis, created a Prezi, or a presentation brought to life, about water to help raise awareness. In addition, the middle school's Home and Careers Class acted as a watering hole for the students who participated in the Water Challenge.