Water Blogged

We recently heard from longtime partner, Stillwater Junior High School, MN.  Five years ago, I visited Stillwater Junior High before the beginning of the school year.  After meeting author Judy Bernstein in California (They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky- the true story of 3 Lost Boys) and learning that Stillwater Junior High School was going to be reading the book, and having one of the young men speak at their school, I hoped that SJH would be interested in raising funds to support a water well for South Sudan.  They were interested in the opportunity and for the past 5 years have done amazing work to provide funds to support the drilling of wells through our partner, Water for South Sudan.

5 years later, and $50,000 later, Stillwater Junior High has not only helped bring water to thousands of people in South Sudan, but has raised awareness in their school and community about the global water crisis. Students have a global connection that makes the world a smaller place, and have learned that their actions can, indeed, change the world.  Lead teacher for H2O for Life at Stillwater, Sara Damon, has created curriculum, added the topic of social justice, educated her classroom about the culture and the dynamics of South Sudan, and has educated a group of youth that are equipped to be an integral part of our dynamic global world.

Sara would confirm, that year one was probably the most challenging, but over time, H2O for Life has become a game changer in their school.  The Principal of SJH mentioned to me that participation with H2O for Life changed their school climate to a more welcoming inclusive school culture.

Lessons learned?  Anything worth doing requires effort, but the results can be amazing.  We encourage your school to join us, stick with us for a number of years, and enjoy the positive changes that you will see in your students and your school. Instilling lifelong values in our youth is well worth the time!

Post from Sara Damon, SJH teacher.

I am thrilled to announce that we have reached our goal of raising $50,000 over five years for H2O for Life-Water For South Sudan. Stay tuned for our next chapter!

This week, 1 generous donation by a SJHS 9th grader in memory of a grandfather brought our total to $50,000.

This was added to dollars raised by students, staff, families and the Stillwater community through:

• Stillwater Junior High School H2O for Life – Water For South Sudan
• 9 Stillwater & Lake Elmo Rotary Club grants & presentations
• 5 Lost Boy of Sudan speakers
• Lost Boy event sales by H2O for Life & Valley Bookseller
• 5 T-shirt sales
• 4 Walks for Water
• 4 bake sales
• 3 penny wars
• 2 benefit concerts
• 2 Cub Foods grocery bagging evenings
• 2 St. Paul Lutheran Church grants & presentations
• 2 craft sales
• 1 MN Returned Peace Corps Volunteers grant
• 1 fast
• 1 SAHS National Honor Society Coffeehouse
• 1 letter writing campaign
• 1 Inter-State Studios Spreading Smiles photo contest victory
• And a Partridge in a Pear Tree (H2O additionJ)
• AND – many, many volunteer hours and additional donations.

Special thanks to Stillwater District #834, the Partnership Plan, Judy Bernstein, Jean Pieri, Deb Dawson, Dennis & Ing Ryan, Thomas Kemp, Orv & Kathy Johnson, Water Street Inn, ArtReach St. Croix, Trader Joe’s, Great Harvest, Starbuck’s and Kowalski’s.