Nelson students collect pennies for fresh water
Collecting pennies to help fund fresh water supplies for those in need is the focus of an L.V. Rogers class.
Every day, women worldwide spend a cumulative total of 200 million hours collecting water for their families. At the same time, 80 per cent of illnesses in developing countries are linked to poor water and sanitation.
LVR’s Global Perspectives class has been involved with Free the Children for several years and as the penny goes out of circulation, they’re on board with the We Create Change campaign.
“This just seemed like an easy thing we could do,” says student Jade Jeffers. “We thought people would bring in their pennies because it’s a great way to find a purpose for them.”
This year, Free The Children has set a goal of providing 100,000 people with clean water for life. The We Create Change campaign, including help from Royal Bank of Canada, is one of Canada’s largest penny drives. This campaign shows that pennies can create a lot of change.
When 2,500 pennies are gathered the LVR students bring their heavy haul of coins to RBC where they’re traded for $25 that goes toward providing one person fresh water for life.
“Having fresh water just seems so basic. And here we have already provided for two people,” says Aisha Smith of the two bags of pennies already collected totaling $50.
Teacher Tamara Martin explains the class has worked hard having a significant impact on children through their work with Free the Children.
“It’s the giving to others. It comes from them what they want to contribute to,” she says.
The campaign goes until the end of March and anyone wanting to donate their pennies can bring them to the LVR office or Martin’s classroom 207.
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