Water for Life - Harvest 2006

The clatter of money, the buzz of children’s voices, the excitement seeping through the hall, these were the sounds of the moments before members of the Junior School poured their collections of coins into the fish tank. The reason for this act of charity was a group called Christian Aid, whose ‘Water for Life’ project has already given over 500 wells to villages in Mali. Ms. Clarke, a representative from Christian Aid, first talked about this African country but also explained about a project in India which she had visited. She showed the children a slideshow of her visit there, to Gram Vikas, which means ‘community development’ and whose symbol is two clasped hands in the shape of a heart. This shows that the project works in harmony with the villages it helps.

Gram Vikas has built toilets, cyclone-proofed houses and other useful things such as schools. It is a known fact among the villages that if you plant banana and mango trees beside the toilets then you get particularly delicious fruit!! Also, if you don’t keep your toilet clean, or do not ‘go’ in the toilet, then you are fined 40 rupees!

The moment of the pouring of the money was boiling with anticipation and the orchestra struck up a tune. Soon, the Burnside Hall was filled with endless chatter and the clatter of falling coins. This event has raised £1,500 for Christian Aid’s ‘Water for Life’ projects!! Think of how many wells that will provide!

By Calum Macdonald (J2)

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