Wake Up Seriously!

Students present solutions to the water crisis

“Access to water is a basic human right, yet every day, a child dies every 15 seconds from drinking unclean water. In developing countries, lack of clean water is a devastating and often deadly problem. There are many factors that cause the lack of access to water.” (from Concern Worldwide workshop materials)

The Middle School at Lawrence Woodmere Academy has once again partnered with Concern Worldwide to become active participants in making the world a better place. On Thursday, January 19, students in Grades 7 & 8 participated in a Global Water Crisis Summit. Sylvia Wong, Julie Breen, and Adane Miheretu of the Concern staff led students through a presentation educating students about access to clean water in the global community as well as  on-going relief work around the world.

Students then broke up into their assigned teams to explore solutions for the challenges of water access in extremely poor countries, including Bangladesh, Haiti, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan and Ethiopia. Each team was given an imaginary budget of three million dollars and information on the specific challenges of their country and the variety of programs that could improve water access conditions in their region. The team had to decide how to spend the money on projects to address the specific issues in their country. They then had to develop a presentation to pitch their proposal to the Concern Worldwide staff and faculty judges. Each group was led by 8th grade student leaders who facilitated the work of the group and guided them through the tasks of the day.

The winning team, Pakistan, presenting creatively through a TV news broadcast

Presentations included a song, posters, PowerPoints, and a TV show format. The group who was granted the $3 million was Team Pakistan for their well-rounded and well-executed presentation. The winning team received a present from Concern Worldwide, a handicraft from Haiti. All students received certificates of participation from Concern.

Students in Grades 4- 8 have the opportunity to hear a series of presentations throughout the year from the Concern Worldwide staff on their work around the globe. The presenters have all been Concern workers in the countries we will hear about. Donna Linton, Lower and Middle School Director, said of LWA’s Global Concerns program, “It is part of the LWA Mission to train students to develop a global perspective. Knowing about the challenges faced in other parts of the world not only makes students aware of and appreciative of what they have, but it also gives them a sense of responsibility for the well-being of fellow human beings.  Working through even a theoretical action plan provides them with hope for a better future where they will be the leaders who make a difference. This will truly prepare them to be influential citizens of the world.”

Read more about Lawrence Woodmere Academy here.