New York: Students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater have raised more than $3,000 to fund wells in India as part of an effort by the Rotary India Water Trust to develop a sustainable water supply for 650 villages.
"I am pleased that we have not only met our goal of raising money for 10 wells, but have exceeded that goal," Assistant Chancellor Student Affairs Barbara Jones said in a media release.
"We are less than $200 away from our 12th well. This has been a wonderful learning experience for the students and we are so proud of their efforts."
The fundraiser came in the aftermath of the April 16 boiler explosion, which left much of campus without heat and hot water for several days. Whitewater Student Government, the Student Entertainment and Awareness League and the Residence Hall Association decided this was a good opportunity to focus on the needs of others and began the campaign to build wells in India. The student groups hung posters that read, "Think not having a hot shower is bad? Try not having clean drinking water."
"Although many of us were inconvenienced for a few days, it made many students realize just how much we take for granted," Wells for India committee member Mike Baumhardt said. "The Wells for India Project is a teachable moment for many of us and proves that members of the Whitewater community are able to turn the event into something beneficial for others.
"I am extremely pleased with the response to this effort," added Baumhardt. "It is truly a combination of students, staff, faculty and community members that made the Wells for India Project so successful. It proves how strong and supportive of a university we have that we are able to come together to benefit others as a result of happenings on our campus. This is true UW-Whitewater style at its finest."
Prajukti (Juk) Bhattacharyya, assistant professor of geology, shared this information with students about the efforts in India: "I really appreciate your efforts to build sustainable water supply resources for the people of Rajasthan. I am from India and I have spent a lot of time doing geological fieldwork in the rural parts of Rajasthan. I can truly vouch for the need for fresh water in those villages…"
(Compiled from a press release)
View Comment (0)
