The Problem:
A lack of clean and safe drinking water is not available for hundreds of millions of people in the world and this one problem has a multiplicity of far-reaching negative effects.
Here are a few website links with resources and videos that can be used to help students understand the problem:
Water is Life : South Sudan from Neverthirst on Vimeo.
Water Filter Demonstration:
Let’s try visualizing what it would be like to have to drink dirty water, and understand the purpose of a water filter.
Purchase a pitcher with a water filter such as the one found at this link: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brita-Slim-Water-Pitcher/8470932.
In addition, collect a water bottle full of dirty water. Creek water works well, but if this is not available, fill a water bottle full of water and add a small amount of dirt and debris. Have an additional empty water bottle or clear glass in which to pour the filtered water from the pitcher.
For the water demonstration, shake up the water bottle with the dirt and debris. Next, pour the dirty water into the pitcher and allow time for the water to filter through.
When the water has filtered through, pour it into a clean glass or water bottle. Show students the “before” and “after” and note the remarkable difference the water filter makes!
[Note: this water is still unsafe to drink. Filtering the water in this manner only cleans it and removes the debris. The water still needs to be boiled in order to remove the parasites and bacteria that might be present.]
Imagine how labor intensive and time consuming this process would be if you had to do this every time you wanted a clean glass of water to drink.
Jerry Can Demonstration:
The purpose of the Jerry can demonstration is to help students “walk a mile” in the shoes of a child who has to walk long distances each day to collect water for his/her family.
Before class, measure a pre-selected distance for the students to walk. In addition, purchase Jerry Cans and fill them with water. A 5 gallon Jerry can full of water can weigh up to 40 pounds. You might consider using a scale to fill the cans with an appropriate weight of water based on the ages of students in your class. Ten to twenty-five pounds would be a challenging weight for the majority of elementary aged children. Jerry cans can be purchased here:
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/scepter–5-gallon-carb-diesel-tall-jerry-can-with-crc-yellow–2590917
Try carrying the Jerry can filled with water a specified distance [1/4 to 1/2 mile might be appropriate based on time constraints].
This is a very eye-opening experience and a very tangible way to relate with other kids with this challenge.
The Solution:
Motivate your group to raise the resources to fund either a bio-sand filter(s) or a well project in Africa. See the following links for fund-raising ideas:
Change for Change
Drink Water to Give Water
Give Away Your Birthday
30-Day Burpee Challenge
Kick off at least one of these fund-raising projects at this time, and add others as appropriate for your group and situation.