News Item

September 19, 2011

News item – Crofton students walk for water here and in Africa

At the end of the first week of term at Crofton elementary, the school’s 160 grades 2 – 7 students walked around their field for half an hour each carrying a four-litre jug full of water. The walk was symbolic.

“By carrying these jugs, the students learned what keeps many children in East Africa – particularly girls – from going to school: having to walk to a water source to provide water for their families,” explained Crofton principal Darrell Wright.

In all, he said, the students carried 576 litres – less than that used by two average Canadians every day.

The walk was the culmination of a “Water and Our World” week during which the students learned about water stewardship in their own community and about the water crisis in Africa. Activities included learning about local water sources, storm drain marking, conducting a water filter science experiment and water displacement math.

“We even had some water-themed PE games,” said principal Wright.

Just as importantly, the students learned about the water crisis in East Africa and what the world can do to help.

“For example, the students learned that by 2030, it is estimated that two-thirds of the world is projected to experience water scarcity,” added the Crofton principal.

Crofton kids raised more than $400 for WaterCan, a Canadian non-profit group that builds clean water facilities for children in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.