Minnetonka Middle School East held its 5th Annual Water Walk for Haiti on Friday, May 15!
This energy packed event was the culmination of about two months of classroom curriculum on global awareness and global water needs. Led by teachers Rebeccah MacDougal and Laura Frisbie, the students discussed how many parts of the world do not have ready access to potable water and what these countries do to meet their water needs. Their studies covered the availability of fresh water, typical usage by USA versus other countries, and how families become resourceful in their water collection and use. Haiti is not their only focus, as they researched the global water crisis in countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Honduras and Kenya.
After their eyes were opened to the brutal reality of our global water crisis, the students were called to take action. This year the MME 6th graders set the goal to raise at least $15,000, enough to fully sponsor the community of Fonten, Haiti for Haiti Outreach’s Adopt-a-Well program.
On the morning of their “Water Walk for Haiti”, Haiti Outreach Executive Director Dale Snyder and Country Director Neil Van Dine spoke to the entire 6th grade about the lack of clean water in Haiti and what Haiti Outreach is doing about it. In addition, guest speakers talked to individual 6th grade classrooms about their personal experiences in various countries around the world regarding the issues of water and sanitation.
Then came the part all the students were waiting for! To raise money for their Adopt-a-Well, the MME 6th graders walked or ran the mile loop around the school property, having collected pledges from family and friends. In addition, students set up booths outside where they sold a variety of items ranging from homemade baked goodies to stress balls to slushies to headbands. And the student band kept everyone’s energy high with their music!
The MME sixth graders definitely showed their dedication and enthusiasm in their fundraising activities raising a record $21,000. This more than exceeded their goal to fully sponsor a clean, community managed water well in the rural community of Fonten, Haiti!
Teacher Rebeccah MacDougal summed up the festive day and everything the students did very well. “We are so proud of these kids. They worked very hard and produced amazing results,” she said. We could not agree more and are so very grateful to the school and these students who brought clean water to a rural community in Haiti that will literally save lives every day! Congratulations to everyone who participated!
If you would like more information on how your school, church or civic group could set up a Water Walk for Haiti and festival like this, please contact us at 612-929-1122 or email Haiti Outreach at [email protected].
