SEQUIM — Sequim High School’s Interact Club raised enough funds to provide another well for a small community in Ghana as part of the club’s annual Walk for Water.
Organizers said it was the most support they’ve received since starting in 2016, going $700 past their $5,000 goal.
“We’re such a small community and it’s nice to see the parallel of helping another small community all the way across the world,” club president Layla Sundin said.
On March 1, 40 students walked from Sequim Middle School to the Dungeness River, about 4 miles total, to fill and carry buckets to experience the daily journey many people must go for water.
Club member Kendra Dodson said this year’s event resonated with her.
“That’s how far kids have to walk for water every time they need water,” she said. “The symbolism of it is so important.”
Nico Musso participated in the walk for the first time this year and said in retrospect that he considers himself fortunate.
“I think taking a little time out of my day to raise money for someone who doesn’t have the same opportunity is a pretty small price to pay to even out the playing field and give others opportunities that they don’t have,” he said.
This year, students stepped up their fundraising efforts, with Sundin saying they tried to involve the entire club — now 72 members strong. Forty of them participated in the Walk for Water.
In the past, just a few club officers would approach local businesses, Sundin said, but students this year went into their neighborhoods and to family members.
Julia Reandeau earned the most of any student with $1,050 by approaching family and friends’ businesses.
“I know a lot of businesses that I figured would not be asked, so I would contact them directly,” she said.
They were more than happy to help, Reandeau said.
Club members said they found local businesses and residents to be receptive of their efforts.
Dodson said it can be intimidating, but business community members, such as James Castell with Acrisure Company, were “super inviting” and “more than happy to help.”
John Pehrson said he and Musso went door-to-door together and separately, and most of his support came from community members.
“It was really refreshing to see how generous the people in our community were because at almost every house that I went to, if they answered the door, they would at least give something,” he said.
Sundin said they learned that having access to water can help children’s education because they’re not late to school due to getting water. Last year’s Walk for Water supported building a well and pump for a school in Ghana.
“It really increases the amount of time they’re able to spend learning and at school,” Sundin said.
Another club member, Melia Nelson, said they learned last year’s well is online and has helped more than 500 people in its community.
“This is so important, especially in a scholastic setting, for us to realize how valuable water is as a resource,” she said.
Nelson said the event helps students think outside themselves because they can’t see the direct results and the benefits don’t directly affect them.
Sequim Interact Club works in partnership with the Sequim Sunrise Rotary, with funds donated through Rotary International to help install the well and pump.
While they met their initial goal, additional donations can support this project through March 28 by mailing a check to: Sequim High School, 601 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim, WA, 98382; with checks made out to “Sequim High School” and the memo line “Walk for Water, Interact Club.”
Up next, club members said they’re looking to help on or around Earth Day with a wildlife restoration project in some capacity. If you have a potential project, email Chelsea Reichner, Interact Club advisor and SHS teacher, at creichner@sequimschools.org.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. He can be reached by email at matthew.nash@sequimgazette.com.
