Keith Valley Students Pass the Baton

At the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, 7th grade Keith Valley Middle School students read A Long Walk to Water. 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, student 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.

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.

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.

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.

Language Arts Teacher Sarah Beltz said, “These students believe that wells give hope and that that 7th grade students can make a difference.”

For more information about how to help or to make a donation, please contact Sarah Beltz at sbeltz@hatboro-horsham.org.

Earlier this month, 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.