Our kids were left with the challenge to do two things:
1. Conserve. Angela pointed out that water is a finite resource. I think it is difficult for the kids to get this concept because they think of water filling the pools, stretching to infinity at the beach just 5 miles away, and flowing out of the tap every time they turn it on. You turn on the sink and it gushes out and it doesn't show any sign of letting up or turning to a drip. Angela really helped them see how much water we all use that doesn't need to be used. She had them take a pledge that they would turn off the tap while they brush their teeth and that while brushing they will say a prayer for the children across the world who are in need. Love it!
2. Partner in fundraising. Angela is an advocate for World Vision's water projects in Africa and she helped the kids understand that $1 per week would pay for a child to have water for a week. We sent the kids out with the mission of raising money to donate towards this fund.
Here are some ideas we have given the kids:
-collect water bottles, gatorade bottles and other recyclables to take to a recycling center and then donate that money towards clean water. Its a double whammy of blessing - helping the earth and helping people on the earth!
-lemonade stand for good. There is something about summer and lemonade stands. Why not donate the profits to a great cause!
-water your neighbors' plants (sparingly - be mindful of how much water you use) and donate your earnings to a great cause.
Angela Mason shared with the kids that there is this little worm that lives in much of the water in africa that is called the guinea worm. It is microscopic and cannot be seen so people drink water that they think is clean and then become infected. These worms grow very long - multiple feet! They make the children sick and are just nasty.
Over the past week my son has asked me multiple times before drinking the water I have handed him if it has guinea worms in it.
Me: "No honey."
My son: "Oh good. But, does the water in Africa still have worms in it?"
Me: "Yes."
My son: "That's bad. We need to make the water clean."
It's that simple. I love how children see things so black and white. I think there is a reason that Jesus talks about the kingdom of heaven belonging to children and his encouragement to us to be like children. Kids' hearts are close to God's heart - they dream bigger. They want everyone to have a home. They want all the kids to have clean water and they don't think about the impractical roadblocks that stand in the way of that like how massive the issue is and how much money it would take to make it happen.
So, we are dreaming bigger. We have set our goal for our KWAV's kids to raise $4000 to donate to World Vision and their water initiatives. The beautiful thing is we get to partner with our community in this. We have 2 swim teams in our neighborhood and they are going to join us in raising money too.
If you are cruising the streets and you see a lemonade stand, ask if it is for "good in the hood". We are going to make an impact, one drop at a time.
If you are interested in donating towards our KWAV's water project, feel free to mail a check to:
World Vision
Women of Vision, MS 110
PO Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063-9969
just mark in the memo: "for water project with OC WOV"
Blessings!
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