Schools
Horsham Middle Schoolers Continue Work on Clean Water in South Sudan
Students in Horsham's Keith Valley Middle School are working hard to improve the dire water situation in the African country of South Sudan.
HORSHAM, PA -- At the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, 7th grade Keith Valley Middle School students read A Long Walk to Water, the school district said.
The novel, which is set in South Sudan, exposed students to the ravages of civil war, extreme poverty and ecological degradation that are rampant in the country. Convinced they could provide assistance, students organized a class project and collected $6,000 to build a well to provide clean water to the people of South Sudan. The well is being drilled and will bear the school’s name, according to the school.
This year’s 7th grade class has also been assigned A Long Walk to Water. Inspired by their classmates efforts, students who are currently reading the book recently met to brainstorm ways to continue the well project introduced last year, the school said.
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In December, the students kicked-off “Change for Change!” Their goal is to raise money to replace much needed drilling equipment in South Sudan and increase awareness among their peers and community members about the issues faced by residents, according to a press release.
Students are refining fundraising plans and creating informational flyers to draw attention to the mission of the non-profit organization, Water for South Sudan, the lead organization of the project.
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“These students believe that wells give hope and that that 7th grade students can make a difference," Language Arts Teacher Sarah Beltz said.
For more information about how to help or to make a donation, please contact Sarah Beltz at sbeltz@hatboro-horsham.org.
Earlier this month, the school district said that Keith Valley teachers were notified that the 2015-2016 well project was selected by the Committee on Teaching about the United Nations as one of three American schools that will be recognized at the CTAUN Conference scheduled for Friday, January 27, 2017. The event will be held in New York City at the United Nations.
Image courtesy Hatboro-Horsham School District.
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