LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
Eighth grade students at Kammerer Middle School walked a mile in someone else’s shoes on Friday to raise money and awareness for the Ugandan Water Project.
The students learned about how kids their age in other countries were forced to forgo their education so they could provide clean water for their families. “[Kids in Uganda] are spending eight plus hours a day accessing clean water,” teacher Katie Weingarten said.
The students set a goal to raise $3,600, so they could send a water filtration system to Uganda through the Ugandan Water Project.
Then, they walked a mile carrying jugs of water to understand what the kids in Uganda had to do daily.
“It would be exhausting to do every day,” Max Miller said as he carried a bucket full of water.
Emme Sanchez also carried a gallon of water around. “It feels like it’s about 20 pounds,” Sanchez said.
Helen Peterson said she couldn’t imagine having to do this, just for a glass of water. “The more I walk, the more I’m just like wow, these kids have to go through a lot just to get clean and fresh water,” she said
The students were able to reach their fundraising goal, Weingarten announced as they walked. As a bonus, the Louisville Water Company pledged to match the students’ donation.
“It means a lot that we actually get to help these kids out,” Mallory Young said. “It seems like it’s not much, but we’re doing our best to make the biggest impact that we can.”
One water filtration system will provide water for between 500-1,000 people every day by collecting rainwater and filtering it through the tap.
“Basically, they can just walk up to this tap, get their water and then go home,” Weingarten said, “So, it makes it so they don’t have to go through the whole process of boiling and sanitizing, which takes up a lot of time.”
To donate, visit the Ugandan Water Project fundraising page for Kammerer here. Weingarten said any additional money the students raise will go to sending another water filtration system.
