by Jennie Marroquin

While volunteering on a regular basis at Jefferson School in Richland Center, I spoke with Jim Korb, the fifth grade teacher there. We talked about different fund-raising projects in Central America for his class. Thinking of something achievable, I mentioned that community wells are needed in the Santa Teresa, Nicaragua area. The students then listened to a pep talk about helping people in Nicaragua who don’t have running water and must walk long distances to get to a well.

The fund raising began, and after a few weeks, the fifth graders reached their goal. They were able to donate $100 to the SCP. Derrick Gee, José Marroquin and I gave a presentation about Nicaragua’s poverty status and the fact that even small amounts can go a long way towards helping those in need. Also, the obvious.... People of ALL ages can participate to help others. The fifth graders felt proud of themselves, knowing what they accomplished.

Then Derrick went to Nicaragua. He was able to meet the family of Doña Eva in the village of El Terrero. They had no water supply of their own and had to carry water from a neighbor a long distance away. Funds raised by the students went for materials to build Doña Eva’s well. The family members will dig the well by hand and install the hand-cranked pump.

When Derrick returned from Nicaragua he brought back a picture for the students to see of the family that will receive the well. One nice thing about working with Nicaragua is that when people donate money for a cause or a specific project, they are able to see where their money goes, because our local people go down to visit with the communities there.