BROWNSTOWN
On average, people in the developing world walk 6 kilometers, or 3.7 miles, to get water. Most times, it’s dirty water.
There are 785 million people on the planet who don’t have access to clean water.
Those staggering numbers were tough for students and staff at Brownstown Central Middle School to comprehend. There are water fountains with clean water throughout the building, and they have access to water pretty much anywhere else they go.
As a way to provide water to people around the world, the school is having its own 6K run/walk to raise awareness of and funds for World Vision. The Christian humanitarian organization is dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice, according to worldvision.org.
It’s the largest non-governmental provider of clean water in the world, and the goal is to bring clean water to everyone by 2030.
Team World Vision involves teams around the United States running and fundraising for clean water.
With BCMS having a V.I.S.I.O.N. theme for the 2019-20 academic year, it was the perfect opportunity to partner with World Vision.
Students and staff have several upcoming events in which they can participate and contribute money to the organization, allowing everyone to look beyond the walls of the school, Principal Doug McClure said.
On Wednesday, students who pay $1 will be allowed to have electronic device access during the enrichment learning flex TRIBE period.
Then starting at 8:45 a.m. Oct. 11, there will be a 6K run/walk at Brownstown Park. TRIBES will be walking or running in their theme outfits.
“I just want you to think about that morning when you’re taking those steps and you’re doing that race, this is what children across the planet are doing every single day just to get not clean water but dirty water,” McClure told students during a convocation Sept. 27.
Also, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 11, there will be a World Vision Dance with an entry fee of $3.
Finally, on Nov. 1, students can pay $1 to wear a school-appropriate hat.
All money raised from these special activities will be the school’s donation to World Vision for the purpose of supplying clean water.
As an added incentive, the TRIBE class that raises the most by participating in the fundraisers will earn extra gym time.
“How much that is depends on how much we raise,” McClure said. “We want to encourage you to get involved to literally change the lives of children that don’t have the same opportunities that you enjoy and I enjoyed growing up as a kid.”
Relatives and others in the community can donate to the school’s cause by visiting teamworldvision.org/team/bcms2020vision.
“We can help provide clean water and future for hundreds of people,” McClure said.
Also speaking at the convocation were Amy Claire Patterson, Indianapolis area director for Team World Vision, and Dr. Eric Parker, a former BCMS student and alumnus of Brownstown Central High School who owns Parker Dental in Brownstown.
Patterson discussed what World Vision does and talked about a recent trip to Malawi, where she said many people walk miles to fill buckets with water that’s dirty.
“You guys are going to get the opportunity to understand what that feels like just to walk that distance,” she told the students about their upcoming 6K.
“There is hope. You get to be a part of this hope,” she said of helping solve the world water crisis. “The things you do today, the things you do tomorrow actually affect that, and the opportunity you have to make an impact across the globe, you do have the influence to impact others, you have the power to influence other people wherever you’re at.”
Parker and his wife were among 32 members of The Point and Seymour Christian Church who participated on behalf of Team World Vision in last year’s CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.
They were inspired to do a half-marathon or marathon after hearing from Patterson and Steve Spear from Team World Vision.
“You can impact people on the other side of the world from right here, just like you guys are about to do with the 6K,” Parker told the students.
Fundraising goes toward building infrastructure to bring clean water to communities in developing countries. World Vision gets to know the people and develops a community board to oversee the operation of building rainwater catchall systems or digging wells.
Every $50 goes to help build and support the infrastructure that will help provide clean water to one person for the rest of their life. The people have better health and improved nutrition and go to school instead of spending the day fetching water.
Parker left the students with a quote from Nelson Henderson: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
“What are you planting today that somebody you don’t even know is going to benefit from?” Parker asked. “What kind of legacy could you leave if you plant the seed today?”
At a glance
Brownstown Central Middle School activities to benefit World Vision
Wednesday: Students can pay $1 to have electronic device access during the enrichment learning flex TRIBE period
Oct. 11: 6K run/walk at 8:45 a.m. at Brownstown Park; World Vision Dance from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. with an entry fee of $3
Nov. 1: Students can pay $1 to wear a school-appropriate hat
Relatives and other community members can donate to the school’s cause online by visiting teamworldvision.org/team/bcms2020vision.