A Spring of Hope
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the problem:
According to the UN, 1.8 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. Water Partners has even estimated that if water was invested in developing countries around the world, that would equal as many as 272 million school attendance days a year. Though most startling of all is that according to the UN, more than half of Africans lack access to safe water. The world water crisis is not only a sanitary issue, it is an educational issue, and a human rights issue. The geographic location and economic disadvantage of so many Africans has led to too much of the poverty seen today, but independence is possible. Charities must limit sending sheer funds or foods to impoverished communities and begin to seek investments that allow for self-sustainability. If installed in a school, a well can allow for the growth of gardens that are often a school’s only means of fundraising. Each day, millions of children in impoverished Africa do not attend school simply because of a school’s terrible conditions. A Spring of Hope’s mission is to not only make a school independent and self-sustainable, but also attractive to learners who will grow up to become leaders.
vital stats:
people impacted:
25,000people involved:
74why it's important:
In 2005, my mother and I visited South Africa during a vacation. We visited a school, the Beretta Primary, in the town of Acornhoek to experience the lives of children in rural South Africa. Upon arriving at the school, I learned that the school didn’t have running water. I was greatly disturbed by this situation and remembered how I take advantage of the availability of water in my home. The school’s gardens needed water to survive drought. Most of the year, the school couldn’t produce enough food for all of its students. Outside of school, the search for water meant a daily trek for the students and their families to the nearest water pump, which did not operate most of the day. I was moved to give the students of Beretta Primary running water, so they could spend less time walking to retrieve water, and more time focusing on education. Since my first trip to South Africa, my foundation A Spring of Hope has installed 6 wells in South Africa, including Beretta, and one in Uganda. My creativity has allowed me to come up with fundraisers such as photography auctions and documentary screenings. Though, what has really made A Spring of Hope effective is my ability to reach out to others. I am a great speaker and have encouraged others to join our project, which has hundreds of supporters. I have helped other "chapters" of our charity at high schools and universities around the world start their own fundraisers. My ability to express myself through writing has made a significant impact on the charity as well, allowing us to disseminate our message through our blog on the internet and my articles in teen magazines.
the plan of action:
A Spring of Hope searches for rural, underprivileged schools in Africa in desperate need of water. These schools are often identified during the A Spring of Hope Team's trips to Africa or when people contact us who know of a school in need. Each school that A Spring of Hope records is documented through video or pictures. High school and college students from around the world contact A Spring of Hope through our website. The students establish an "A Spring of Hope Chapter" at their schools and organize fundraisers to benefit the school they have personally adopted.
Once a school has been located, Brendon Schmikl, our Director of Construction Management, visits the school and performs a preliminary search of the school's grounds. He performs a basic scan for water known as divining, during which he holds two metal rods and positions himself over the land that may hold water. Divining is useful to check for any minute activity of water beneath the surface. Then, a geohydrologist is called in to inspect the land. Once it has been confirmed that the location is promising, Brendon organizes the construction. If students funded the well, they will be set photographs and video of the work they have done.
Drilling begins when A Spring of Hope acquires the appropriate funds from donations or fundraising through clubs at schools. Drilling is a highly delicate process during which a driller uses machinery to reach 100 meters or more below the ground. Once a strong enough stream is located, we plan for the installation of the electric pump, protective cage, and appropriate piping.
how you can get involved:
A Spring of Hope is unique in that it is a "students for students" initiative. The charity matches middle schools, high schools, and colleges around the world with schools in need in Africa. We provide materials to help them fundraise for their school.. We not only help youth in developing countries in Africa, but we help youth around the world realize that they can make a difference anywhere. We have seen the fundraising process impact individuals first-hand. We receive on average 2 requests per week from students in either high school or university for more information regarding starting a new initiative. We form a close relationship to every school we help, something that truly sets us a part from other charities. We also attend the opening ceremonies of wells in our schools.
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