In an effort to save the eyesight of children in drought-stricken Ethiopia, Carpenter students' recent at home read-a-thon fundraiser coordinated with Read Across America week has far surpassed a goal of digging one well.
In fact, students have raised $21,560 to date, which will fund both a $15,000 deep well and a $5,000 hand dug well with a filter, with additional funds to be earmarked for sanitation equipment.
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The project was inspired by 5th grade teacher Becky Keenan and her brother, Dr. Jeremy Keenan, who is the lead researcher in a study of the eyesight disease trachoma in that country.
Carpenter students learned that clean water is one of the simplest ways to save the eyesight of children in developing countries. Carpenter's 5th graders prepared a video to share their findings with the school. Donations are still being accepted.
Providing clean water to children and families in Africa is also the focus of in-depth service learning units at our two middle schools each spring, helping expand their understanding as global citizens.