Loveland Intermediate School students walked 1.2 miles carrying gallon jugs of water and raised more than $7,000 to combat the water crisis in Africa during a special lesson Friday, Oct. 20.
A ‘Long Walk’ to learn empathy
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Intermediate School (LIS) sixth grade students walking the sidewalks of Loveland neighborhoods with gallon jugs of water in tow; it was not your typical classroom experience Friday, Oct. 20 – but it was a learning opportunity now in its fourth year. Called “Walk for Water” the students read the book “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park, which is based on a true story about the difficulty to obtain clean water in Africa. The 1.2 miles the students walk – again, gallon jugs of water in tow – is symbolic; they carry the water to represent the very real water crisis in Africa.
“I continue this lesson each year because I think it is important to teach our students that there are many people in the world who struggle to survive each day and that we should always be grateful for what we have,” said LIS English Teacher Jennifer Kirby.
“I continue this lesson each year because I think it is important to teach our students that there are many people in the world who struggle to survive each day and that we should always be grateful for what we have,” said LIS English Teacher Jennifer Kirby. “For most of us, our worst day does not even come close to comparing to what people in less fortunate areas of the world struggle with.”
In addition to the walk, students raised $7382.06 to help build a well in South Sudan, surpassing the goal of $6,000. Students also donated about 400 gallons of water to Matthew 25: Ministries.
“Each year I continue to be amazed that our students take the main character, Salva’s, story to heart and go above and beyond the goal that we set,” said Kirby. “I hope that the take away for the students is that one person can make a difference. I hope they think of the children of the village where our well will be built and know that they have made the lives of those children and their families so much better.”
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