SPANISH FORT, Ala. — If every time you leaned over a water fountain for a cool drink of clean, refreshing water you were reminded there are parts of the world where the simple act is a luxury, would it give you pause?
Students at Spanish Fort …
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SPANISH FORT, Ala. — If every time you leaned over a water fountain for a cool drink of clean, refreshing water you were reminded there are parts of the world where the simple act is a luxury, would it give you pause?
Students at Spanish Fort Middle School not only stopped to think about the inequity but raised $1,300 to address the international issue, and they did so pennies at a time.
In support of Dig Deep Give Well, a Daphne-based nonprofit committed to building wells in rural Africa, the SFMS students purchased water bottles for $1 each and then returned them filled with change. Students also purchased T-shirts, and SFMS Principal Craig Ross jumped aboard, offering out-of-uniform days with proceeds benefiting the cause.
The result?
SFMS raised $1,367, or enough money to provide clean water to 1,367 African citizens for one year.
“I’m always so impressed with these kids. This community is such a giving community, and everything they do, they do full force,” said Ross, brimming with pride upon learning SFMS outraised Daphne Middle School’s contribution by almost $400.
“Spanish Fort is a community that’s very gelled together and very selfless. Everybody’s always so willing to reach out to others facing challenges, and I’m not just talking about the adults,” Ross said.
Alison Hill, who serves on the Dig Deep Give Well board of directors alongside her husband Marc, has three daughters in Spanish Fort schools, the eldest of whom is planning to travel to Tanzania this summer with the organization.
“It’s going to be quite an education for her,” said Hill of 17-year-old Ashlyn, a junior at Spanish Fort High School. “There’s going to be no running water, no electricity, and I think it’s going to be really good for her to get outside of the U.S. and see how things are in other parts of the world.”
Formed in February 2010 by three Baldwin County families, Dig Deep Give Well’s organization said it was created to provide:
“More than 80 percent of all disease can be eliminated by just having clean water. In the village we’re going to this summer women walk more than seven miles a day to retrieve water,” Hill said.
Of course, cultural differences abroad also mean some of the “women” carrying the water are between ages 11 and 14, which is why Dig Deep thought launching fundraisers at the middle-school level seemed appropriate. Efforts have not been contained to middle schools.
Hill said schools, youth groups, Bible study groups, Girl Scouts and preschools have helped make a difference.
“Just spare change has helped build a well in 2010,” said Hill, noting it takes about $15,000 to install an average-depth well.
The group’s first attempt turned out to be atypical, however, requiring the structure extend the length of two football fields into the ground.
“It was amazing. It brought out 5,000 liters of water per minute, and people started coming out of nowhere with all sorts of jugs and other containers because they knew the water was there,” she said, having watched the video of the milestone moment posted on the group’s website.
In addition to providing enough water to affect more than 6,000 people in the region, Hill said the projects create jobs in an area where employment is scarce.
Said Ross: “I’m just so proud of our kids for the contribution they’re making. They’re a very community-oriented, giving group. It’s a wonderful project that we’re happy to support because it’s who we are as Americans, as Christians and as the human race to reach out whenever we can.”
For more information, visit www.digdeepgivewell.org.
