Retired School 5 teacher Christine Lajewski and fifth grade students kicked off the celebration with a “water walk,” meant to create awareness for the school’s fundraising goal of $3,600 to purchase a rainwater collection system through the Ugandan Water Project.

The UWP partners with fundraising teams throughout the world to repair and install wells, rain water collection systems and other kinds of filtration systems in Uganda to create access to safe drinking water.

The water walk was originally scheduled to take place outside, but due to heavy rain on Thursday morning, the walk took place in the hallways of School 5 and concluded in the gymnasium for the school-wide assembly. “What was it doing outside?” Lajewski asked the students. “Raining!” the students replied, in unison.

“Not just raining, but pouring!” she said. “Do you know what our goal is? A rainwater collection system! When that school in Uganda gets that rain water collection system, when it rains like this in Africa, they will have fresh water. There are students who can’t even go to school because they are walking three hours just to get to water — dirty water — that they have to boil before they can drink.”

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl Students in Mr. Muscarella's third grade class at Dunkirk's School 5 raised the most money toward the school's $3,600 goal of getting a rain water collection system through the Ugandan Water Project.

Since May 16, students have been raising awareness and money for the rainwater collection system through a can/bottle drive and sponsorships. School 5 Principal David Boyda explained that the UWP ties in directly with the water awareness unit curriculum, which highlights the water crisis in Uganda and available solutions, builds bridges from classroom content to the UWP’s work, and mobilizes students to work together to bring water resources to children in Uganda.

Third grade student Jasmine Bertino was recognized as the top money-raiser ($130) and received a t-shirt and bracelet in honor of her achievement. She is a student in Mr. Muscarella’s third grade class, which raised the most money of any class in School 5.

“My first sponsor was my Grandpa Pete; he donated $50 and more of my family and friends donated,” Bertino told the OBSERVER. “In our water unit, we learned that a child dies every 21 seconds from a lack of clean, safe water. People have to walk more than three hours just to get clean water.”

Bertino and her classmates will be enjoying an ice cream party in recognition of their hard work. Lajewski also recognized School 5 teacher Mrs. Leonardis, whose Girl Scout troop also raised money for the project.

Although Friday was the last day of can/bottle collection at School 5, the fundraising is continuing through UWP’s website at ugandanwaterproject.com/dunkirk. All are invited to visit the website to learn more and donate, said Lajewski.

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl Christine Lajewski, center, recognized third grader Jasmine Bertino, left, as the top fundraiser at School 5. Principal David Boyda, right, was excited to recognize the students’ efforts in an assembly.

“This is the second year that we’ve done this,” Lajewski told the OBSERVER. “I first heard about the Ugandan Water Project about five years ago and really wanted to get involved.” Lajewski and her church, Pillar of Fire Fellowship of Dunkirk, partnered with School 5 last year and raised money to repair the borehole well at Kaamu Memorial School that can now be used by over 500 people in Uganda’s Bumera community.

Pillar of Fire Fellowship has once again partnered with School 5 for the new goal of purchasing a rain water collection system that will filter run-off rain water for a primary school in Uganda. “I’m already thinking about next year!” said Lajewski, who looks forward to organizing the fundraiser again.