It’s not new news that Minnesota is nicknamed “the land of 10,000 lakes” due to the overabundance of clean water available at any given turn in the state the Brainerd lakes area calls home. What may be surprising to hear is that not every country is so blessed.
That’s why Forestview Middle School has joined the H20 for Life project, a program to fund water, sanitation and hygiene education for schools in Nicaragua.
“H20 for Life is a Minnesota-based fundraising program, created to help kids like us in other countries that don’t have clean water,” said eighth-grader Taiya Holmberg, a co-water ambassador for the project. “Our goal is to raise money to help provide a school in Nicaragua with plumbing for bathrooms and clean water for drinking.”
Holmberg said the project’s goal is to raise $1,750, an amount needed by Los Robles — Forestview’s chosen Nicaragua school — for handwashing facilities, bathrooms and clean drinking water. That amount will be matched by a supporting business in Nicaragua.
Kicking off with the Forestview Clean Water Awareness Week, March 5-9, middle schoolers will be educated on water and water conservation tips with the opportunities to get involved in the fundraising.
Students can purchase bracelets, T-shirts and take photos with friends with money going toward the project. The week will end with a community Water Walk from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on March 8, where everyone in the community is invited to participate in a three-mile walk around the school’s indoor track, carrying two gallons of water to emulate what people in Nicaragua face every day.
“We’ve been collecting milk jugs to be used during the walk to show somewhat how much and how far people (in Nicaragua) have to go for clean water,” said Rachel Cleveland, another co-ambassador with Holmberg. “This (two gallons) isn’t even close to what women and children usually carry, typically 60 pounds, for the three miles to the water station and back.
“Still it will be cool to kind of represent that with our walk.”
Crow Wing Recycling is also getting involved, collecting aluminum cans and scrap metal, with money banked in to a Forestview Water Awareness account.
Those would like to make a donation may send checks or a money order to Forestview Middle School’s Sandy Loney 8C, 12149 Knollwood Drive, Baxter, MN 56425.
JESSI PIERCE may be reached at 855-5858 or jessi.pierce@brainerddispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jessi_pierce
Comments (11)
Add commentMilk Jugs
What will they do with the water used to fill all those milk jugs? I hope the families are encouraged to take the water home as opposed to dumping it down the drain. Sounds like a good awareness program for the kids though.
notme,
It was a educational activity. I think the amount of water wasted paid for itself. Do you really think the containers were cleaned - I bet they were wrinsed out? Why "save" the water?
Are gallon containers of water allowed on the school buses? Or do you think all parents should waste gas to go to Forestview to pick up this water. Money well spent!!
brainerddispatchmember
Did you bother to read this?? The kids don't have to bring the water on the school bus, where did you get that brilliant idea?? Next time you make idiotic comments, make sure you read the article.
So glad they raised the property taxes
to teach kids about poverty in Nicaragua. I mean it's not like we don't have poverty here. What about preparing them for the world of work? It wasn't that long ago that everyone was scrambling to make life better in China, and now they own us. Let their own government, or lack of, take care of their own problems!
Paul Gazelka wants more from the property tax payers
Amendments to State Constitutions on average that deal with state budgets rise 22 percent to the property tax payers.
This is a super majority theme that is being floated by Paul and his Pals now.
In States that do not have a super majority theme, the increase was an average of 13 percent.
Guess Paul is following the money.
It was Ward who supported the school levy
that raised property taxes now, not Gazelka or the Republicans who MIGHT later. Please remove your head from the fairy land you inhabit!
Fairly Land - The Pawlenty Years
Yup.
I appreciate the property taxes I pay going from under 1 thousand bucks to 4 thousand bucks now during the Pawlenty Years.
Guess Pawlenty as the Governor of State of Minnesota held to his no tax pledge to the citizens of the State of Minnesota. I guess I don't count as a citizen of the State even though I live in the State.
If it's not Bush's fault, it's Pawlenty's?
Just once I wish liberals and democrats had the backbone to blame the person in charge now, not those in the past.
Seriously?
Can you people honestly say you are getting into a political argument over students trying to make a difference in the society? You obviously must have nothing better to do or you could recognize that these kids are actually stepping up and working towards a goal not sitting around complaining like you all seem to be
livelife
What difference? Making a difference for Nicaragua? How about getting them ready for the workforce instead of trying to create another welfare country, like Haiti.
Thank you, Forestview
It's obvious that Forestview Middle School is an examplary school in central Minnesota. In just the last couple of weeks alone, Forestview has been in the news for its engineering program (upcoming balloon launch to the stratosphere) it's physical education activities (fitness and heart monitors) and a service learning program that is engaging students in global awareness, and service learning to others (H20 For Life).This list isn't even mentioning the 8th grader from FMS who just took the regional spelling bee title and is headed to the national competition this spring. Our area is fortunate to have a school that is engaging our youth and preparing them for the future through dynamic programs and opportunities that go far beyond the basic classroom content. I would like to thank the Forestview staff for their innovative and creative learning opportunites they provide for the children of this area.(and no, Im not a teacher) I am in local business and appreciate the gem we have in our community.Thank you, Forestview.(and no, Im not even a parent of a child in the district -- just an observer of your local school news) I've never written in before, but felt it was time someone publicly said "thank you". You are doing an exceptional job of preparing our youth to enter the global work force through your engaging activities and awareness programs. Be proud, FMS!