The students and staff of Fernwood School once again be walked in support of SOPAR’s village well projects in India. SOPAR is a non-profit, non-governmental, Canadian/Indian organization that supports community-driven development throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh. Classes walked to St Mary's Lake to collect water and carry it back to Fernwood, experiencing what millions of women and children must do every day in order to survive. This year, their goal was to raise at least $1800, which will fund the establishment of two village wells that will provide water to over 300 people.

Since 2005, Fernwood School has raised enough money to fund 30 village wells in Andhra Pradesh through their Great Water Walk events. This means that over 5000 people now have access to safe, clean water because of the efforts of Fernwood students and the generosity of the greater Salt Spring community!

If you didn't get a chance to support the students walking today and would like to see them meet and exceed their goal, please send an email transfer to lashford@sd64.bc.ca with a note that says waterwalk and use waterwalk as the transfer code.

Consider supporting this Fernwood tradition by supporting these students as they go out into the community for donations, no matter how small. We can all help our youngest community members realize that by working together, we can make a real and positive difference in today’s world! We'll update this story when we hear back from the school on the final fundraising tally.