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When Washington Steps Back, America’s Students Step Up
Sometimes, the most powerful solutions come from unexpected places. While the federal government retreats from funding critical global water initiatives, students across the United States are proving that leadership isn’t about politics—it’s about action.
That’s why I wrote a guest commentary for the Minnesota Reformer: to share a story of hope—one that proves strategic investments in young people and the nonprofit sector aren’t just nice ideas; they’re the antidote to government inefficiencies and over-correction.
The Problem: A Broken System Leaves Millions Without WaterThe recent freeze on international development funding means that millions of children around the world are at greater risk of waterborne diseases, lost education, and economic hardship. In 2023 alone, USAID allocated $1.2 billion to water-related programs—funding that is now in limbo. Without it, life-saving initiatives are at risk of disappearing overnight.
But while Washington debates, students across America are stepping up.
The Solution: Local Leadership, Global ImpactAcross the nation, students are raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring clean water solutions to communities in Africa, Latin America, the Navajo Nation, and beyond. Their efforts are helping to build wells, bathrooms, and handwashing stations at schools—ensuring that children worldwide have the resources to stay healthy and learn.
📌 In 2023-24, students across the United States raised more than $380,000—helping over 27,000 students worldwide gain access to clean water and sanitation.
📌 Westridge School for Girls (Pasadena, CA) students raised $21,900 to fund clean water, toilets, and handwashing stations for 4,876 students in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda.
📌 Matoska International (White Bear Lake, MN) elementary students raised $9,400 through a Walk for Water, funding clean water access for 3,028 students in Uganda and Tanzania.
🗣 “We are globally-minded students who care about the world. We can help the world and make a change in the world. We care about water. We want to help others in need. We want all people to have access to clean water. Others in the world deserve clean water too.” – Matoska Water Warriors Club
These students aren’t just learning about the global water crisis—they’re solving it. They’re proving that small actions, when taken together, can change the world.
Why This Works: Investing in Young People Creates Lasting ChangeWhat’s happening in schools across the U.S. is bigger than any one fundraiser or project. These students aren’t just supporting water projects; they’re becoming problem solvers, advocates, and leaders.
📌 “This impact shows me that I can change the world. I have more confidence in myself and my abilities to enact change and run events. This is important because with this newfound confidence, I can enact more change to impact other communities both domestically and abroad.” – Maeve, 10th grade, New Jersey, H2O for Life High School Fellow
When students take action to solve real-world problems, something powerful happens:
✔️ They build skills that make them lifelong changemakers.
✔️ They inspire their families, schools, and communities to get involved.
✔️ They prove that when systems fail, people can still rise to the occasion.
The reality is, we can’t wait for Washington to fix this. If we believe in the power of young people, now is the time to invest in them.
✅ Donate – Join The CREW and support student-led clean water projects.
✅ Get Your School Involved – Teachers, we offer free classroom presentations and service-learning opportunities.
✅ Spread the Word – Share this story, amplify these students’ voices, and remind the world that local action leads to global impact.
America’s students are showing us what leadership looks like. Their actions remind us that when governments fail to act, we don’t have to wait—we can step forward together.
🔗 Read my full Minnesota Reformer article here:
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Projects in Need
St. Mugagga Junior School
Students at St. Mugagga Junior School currently have unreliable water sources including a small pond which is 4 kilometers roundtrip from the school. The pond is being shared with animals and other community members. Students face many challenges along the way while fetching water from the pond, including:
Lunyelelia Primary School
Lunyelelia Primary School was established in 2021. Prior to this school's establishment, families were sending their children to schools 1.5+ kilometers away, which put a strain on parents as they would escort their children to school, delaying their daily work. Today, the school has 135 students nad 6 staff/teachers.
NUMA Water System - 14 Schools
Ghana is located in West Africa and is sandwiched between Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Togo. The northern border is the country Burkina Faso and the southern border is the Gulf of Guinea. The country is slightly smaller than the state of Oregon. The landscape consists mainly of plains and low plateaus covered by rainforests in the west and Lake Volta in the east.Children in Ghana begin two years of kindergarten at age four. Then all children ages 6-12 attend six years of elementary education. If families can afford it, children go on to secondary education. Ghana’s school system is more advanced than many of its African neighbors.There are over 50 different ethnic groups in Ghana, each with their own customs and languages. But the country is harmonious and peaceful. The Akan tribe is the largest group and makes up about 45 percent of the population. They live mostly in villages and grow their food on farms.Our implementing partner, Water4, is planning the construction of 14 safe water points for schools in 6 communities in Ghana. In addition to the students enrolled, 5 to 8 teachers are living on or near each school campus and will also have access to the piped water resource. By providing safe water for teachers and staff, more teachers are willing to stay in these more rural areas rather than transferring to a more urban school district.
