April 2, 2007

Willow Glen area students found water project for Africa

On March 22, World Water Day, a group of middle and high school students from Willow Glen founded the African Water Project to help build wells and clean water projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

The X-Force Student Ministries, from the San Jose Church of God, will be selling AWP T-shirts to raise money to provide clean water for Africans. Four of the middle school students, from the left, include Cecilia Orozco, Katya Goncalves, Lauren Hunt and April Hunt, who modeled the shirts.

The students, part of X-Force Student Ministries, learned the harsh reality of life in Africa and were motivated to take on the cause and start the project, which is designed to educate people about the water crisis in Africa and to give people the opportunity to be a part of the solution

“Here in America, clean water is easily available—whether it’s tap water from your kitchen sink or bottled water from the store. That’s not the case in Africa,” said April Hunt, X-Force Student Ministries staff intern. “Women and children have to walk distances of up to 10 miles to the nearest water source. Since they spend most of their time and energy fetching water, women are unable to provide income for their families and many children cannot attend school. When they do finally find water, it’s filled with bacteria and parasites, so they literally risk their lives every time they take a sip.”

Water-related diseases kill one child every 15 seconds, she added.

“We believe that everyone should have the right to clean, safe drinking water and that no one should have to worry about whether or not the next sip someone drinks will lead to sickness or death,” Hunt said.

The AWP is partnering with several carefully screened charitable organizations that are currently working in Africa to provide safe, clean water. Businesses, churches, schools, and individuals are joining the project by collecting funds to sponsor the building of water collection systems in Africa. Today, through the use of cost-effective technologies and community participation, $1 can provide clean water for one African for one year! As little as $10 can provide one person with a lifetime supply of water.

The students are offering a variety of ways to get involved by selling AWP T-shirts, accepting donations, hosting AWP days at local businesses (where owners have agreed to give a portion of the sales to the AWP), holding car washes and advertising the H2O challenge.

“In the H2O challenge, we’re challenging students and adults to make water their only beverage for just two weeks. Then, the money they would have spent on consuming other beverages could be set aside to provide clean water in Africa. At the end of the two weeks, they can write out a check or donate online to the AWP for the total amount saved. In essence, you’re diverting money you would have spent on consumption and you’re giving it as a contribution to Africa,” Hunt said.

The group has a Web site explaining their campaign to help build wells and clean water projects in Africa. In addition, their goal is to inspire others to learn more about the need for accessible clean water in Africa and to raise funds to help build clean water wells. These projects will bring access to clean water and improved sanitation to thousands of people in Africa.

One hundred percent of all donor contributions will go directly to the organizations building sustainable water collection and treatment systems in Africa.

The students have planned a 15-mile walk-a-thon in Death Valley to benefit the project. A group of teenagers and adult volunteers will travel to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere—and one of the hottest places on earth—to raise money for the AWP. The 15-mile distance represents the 10 miles many African women and girls must walk each day to collect water carrying five gallon buckets. To sponsor a student, or fore more information, visit the Web site at www.africanwaterproject.org.

For more information on how to get involved or to donate online, visit www.africanwaterproject.org. Or you can send a check to African Water Project, 937 Minnesota Ave., San Jose, CA 95125.