Dan Grzybek, a seventh-grader at Hampton Middle School in the Pittsburgh, PA area, provides a great lesson in ownership and responsibility. After completing a social studies project on underprivileged people throughout the world (Dan chose water as his topic), he decided that it wasn't enough to just learn that more the 28 million people in West Africa don't have access to safe drinking water. He realized that the amount of water a typical person in Africa uses in a day is about the amount an American uses to flush a toilet just once! His research also led him to the realization that for $5,000, a well could be drilled by World Vision, a relief and development organization.
So, Dan is working on raising $5,000. He has placed water jugs in classrooms throughout his school, and a student talent show is planned for February 22 with the proceeds from ticket sales ($5 each) going to the cause. It's easy to imagine that we can't really have much of an effect if we can't travel to another continent and help dig the well ourselves. This seventh-grader's effort provides an excellent example of how to make a difference in a practical way. One well can actually make a difference to dozens --or even hundreds of people.
Think about how you can make a difference, even with a small effort. Oh, and if you'd like to help Dan reach his goal of $5,000 before the end of February, contact his school at 412-492-6372 to find out how. Congratulations, and thank you, Dan!
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