Thank you poster announcing the total funds raised: 6,002,570 Korean Won!
In either currency, it’s an amazing accomplishment. On May 22nd, 200 fourth and sixth grade students at the Korea International School walked for water along Seoul’s Tancheon River, raising over $5,000 dollars and making CARRY 5 an international event!
Teacher Christine Martin with 4th and 6th grade students preparing to start their 5k walk along Seoul's Tancheon River.
Fourth grade teacher Christine Martin says that the interest in CARRY 5 came when she was doing some research about water consumption as part of their school’s Earth Day curriculum on conservation, consumption, waste and recycling. She found Water 1st’s website and a video made by a young supporter, Stella, who participated in our Seattle CARRY 5 Walk for Water last year. “The YouTube video just resonated with me,” wrote Christine in an email to Water 1st in April.
Christine’s husband, also a teacher at the school, was inspired too, and decided to get his sixth graders involved in the walk.
The students set a goal of $750, to provide enough for construction of a public water point serving 500 people in Ethiopia. They worked hard and surpassed their goal easily, raising over $5,000 in cash they collected in water bottles.
“The most rewarding part of this so far is the genuine interest in the students to contribute, educate and act,” said Christine after the walk was completed.
200 KIS 4th and 6th grade students and their teachers walking the 5k along the Tancheon River in Seoul.
We couldn’t agree more. We often hear about the big gifts given to charities by wealthy foundations and corporations. However, the truth is, over 80% of charitable donations come from individuals. We are the ones with the power to transform lives, and the students of Korea International School have proven this with their collective fundraising efforts on behalf of the world’s poorest citizens. $5 collected from an aunt or $10 collected from a neighbor. All those gifts add up to change the lives of people who lack life’s basics - water and toilets.
Please join me in thanking the students of KIS for their great work and a very successful walk for water!
Want to do a CARRY 5 Walk for Water in your area? Please contact us at info@water1st.org o4 206-297-3024, and we can help you get started.
Students counting, and re-counting, the money they collected.
posted by Marla Smith-Nilson, Executive Director
What an inspiration to read about the efforts of these kids. As a retired teacher with lifelong efforts to provide “hands on” learning experiences I know these students’ participation will remain longer and grow deeper than any reading/discussion would.
Congratulations to all of you fourth and sixth graders at Korea International School who participated. Wonderful effort.